• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Subscribe
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • RSS
  • RSMUS.com

The Real Economy Blog

Search

  • Economics
  • Technology
  • Consumer
  • Industrials
  • Finance
  • Real Estate
  • Health Care
  • Life Sciences
Home > Health Care > Apple Heart Study should not dampen industry view of health tech

Apple Heart Study should not dampen industry view of health tech

Mar. 19, 2019 by Matt Wolf

  • email
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linkedin

On March 16, Stanford researchers released results from the Apple Heart Study; this significant research project relied on data gleaned from some 420,000 adult Americans who agreed to wear an Apple Watch that monitored their cardiac rhythms to identify irregularities.

The study, which used an iPhone app to enroll participants, left observers questioning the role of wearable technology in the health care delivery system. According to the Wall Street Journal, some doctors pointed out that “potential false positives and other aspects of the study show that people should be cautious about relying on the technology as diagnostic tools.”

image of app heart app

As we have previously written, companies in the health care ecosystem are looking to wearable technologies such as this to improve patient experiences and outcomes, while also reducing costs. Still in its nascent stages, wearable technology is far from a panacea for the industry, but we maintain that it will eventually play an outsized role in achieving these goals.

The Stanford study, which was funded by Apple, notes problems with the Apple Watch’s monitoring functionality (because the study was begun in 2017, it did not rely on the newest iteration of the Apple Watch). In addition, researchers admit to certain flaws; for example, the low rate of participants requesting and returning patches to electrocardiogram functionality, when appropriate, suggests that the Apple Watch monitoring technology only correctly identified irregular heart rhythms 34 percent of the time.

It’s important to note, however, that over half of the participants who received a notification of irregular heartbeat through the Apple Watch sought medical attention. The study does not address whether that cohort would have otherwise identified the signs of atrial fibrillation, or sought appropriate care once identified. The percentage is significant because it can be difficult to self-diagnose atrial fibrillation.

For payers and providers, data such as this could improve stroke outcomes and ultimately reduce the cost of caring for patients. For patients, an early warning system could be life-changing or lifesaving. The comprehensive benefits to all participants in the health care system will only expand as the technology improves.

Our takeaway? Rather than criticize the study’s failings, we should highlight wearable technology’s impending potential to improve health care for providers and patients alike. The functionality of today’s wearable technology is limited, but then so was that of the first smartphone.

 

 

 

 

 

  • email
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linkedin

Related posts

  • Hospital hallway
    Medicaid expansion to lift health care in 2019

    Four states—Idaho, Nebraska, Utah and Montana— included Medicaid expansion on their ballots in 2018’s midterm elections. Montana’s ballot item was a renewal of expansion, which failed; the three other states saw Medicaid expansion initiatives pass, and we expect…

  • Latest moves in trade conflict hit U.S. tech industry hard

    U.S. technology companies are continuing to explore finding vendors outside of China, shifting their supply chain and logistics to avoid fresh tariffs set to take effect in September, and the collateral damage caused by the volatile U.S.-China trade…

  • Scrutiny on private equity investment in health care increases

    As private equity groups continue to invest in the health care industry, their business practices are falling under increasing scrutiny from lawmakers, researchers and the news media.

Filed Under: Health Care, Tech, Media and Telecom Tagged With: apple, Apple Heart Study, health care, Matt Wolf, wearable technology

About Matt Wolf

@MattWolfHC

Matt leads RSM’s health care valuation consulting group. In this capacity, Matt helps health care clients evaluate mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and other growth strategies.

In January 2018, Matt was selected as a senior analyst RSM’s cutting edge Industry Eminence Program, which positions its senior analysts to understand, forecast and communicate economic, business and technology trends shaping the industries RSM serves. These senior analysts advise clients on conditions impacting middle market leaders. Matt’s focus is the health care and life sciences space.

Primary Sidebar

Read RSM analysts’ industry coverage of coronavirus.

Categories

  • Economics
  • Technology
  • Consumer Products
  • Industrials
  • Financial Services
  • Real Estate
  • Health Care
  • Life Sciences

Recent Technology articles

5 trends from defense technology companies’ Q3 earnings calls

Jan. 4, 2021

CHART OF THE DAY: December is anticipated to be the biggest on record for IPOs

Dec. 10, 2020

CHART OF THE DAY: Dealmaking in the cybersecurity sector continues its strong year

Nov. 25, 2020

Recent Health Care articles

This year may be the busiest ever for health care and life sciences deal volume

Jan. 12, 2021

The case for assistance to state and local governments

Jan. 12, 2021

CHART OF THE DAY: As vaccination begins, health care remains underemployed

Jan. 11, 2021

RSMUS.com links

The Real Economy

Middle Market Business Index

MMBI Special Reports

Footer

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS

About The Real Economy Blog

The Real Economy Blog from RSM US LLP was developed to provide timely economic insights about the middle market economy. It is offered as a complement to RSM’s macroeconomic thought leadership, including The Real Economy monthly publication and the proprietary RSM US Middle Market Business Index (MMBI).

© 2021 RSMUS.com | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy

The Real Economy Blog
  • Economics
  • Technology
  • Consumer
  • Industrials
  • Finance
  • Real Estate
  • Health Care
  • Life Sciences