Strategic Partnering to Drive New Healthcare Growth Opportunities for Consumer Wearables
This study covers the aspects mentioned below and serves as a starting point for companies to design the strategy and framework for their next steps in the healthcare domain.
Wearable devices have often been dismissed by healthcare professionals as a consumer tool with 'fancy' features. With several consumer wearable devices now having regulatory clearances for detecting conditions like atrial fibrillation and other cardiac conditions, their role in the healthcare landscape is becoming prominent.
COVID-19 induced lockdowns, quarantines, and the need to avoid healthcare facilities for fear of contracting the virus has brought wearable devices to the forefront for monitoring patients’ vital signs remotely. These have also proved key in facilitating ‘back to school’ and ‘return to work’ programs.
Effectively, consumer wearables are carving a niche in the healthcare domain by enabling disease prevention and early detection, post-acute care monitoring, as well as chronic disease monitoring and management. The sector is therefore likely to blur out the distinction between consumer-grade and medical-grade wearables, since both may have regulatory clearances for various applications. This also means that the consumer wearable device makers must adapt to the nuances of the healthcare industry and design business models that fit the needs of the industry.
As is already clear, the data emanating from these devices is of significant value. However, monetizing this data is no easy feat. Several models have already emerged that support healthcare industry stakeholders in their quest to help populations stay healthier, live longer, and recover quickly from their ailments.
Partnerships are key, but consumer device companies continue to hesitate to fully commit to this space. Regardless of whether these companies take the plunge, there are ample opportunities for wearable device makers in the healthcare space, given the need for these tools to help manage the burgeoning population of people who need care and support, remotely.
Key Issues Addressed
- How is healthcare delivery changing until 2025, and how does that impact the wearables space?
- How will the ecosystem of healthcare delivery evolve by 2025, and who are the players racing to own the healthcare consumer of 2025?
- Why is patient data becoming a critical piece of care delivery? How does that data promote precision health?
- What health-tracking features of wearables are gaining importance (after cardiac parameters) and why?
- What business models are current wearable device makers adopting to enter healthcare, and which ones are more aligned towards the future?
Table of Contents
Companies Mentioned (Partial List)
A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes, but is not limited to:
- Amazon
- Cerner
- FitBit