The Apple Watch Series 4: Can It Be Useful In Geriatrics?

By Mike Ukoha, PT, DPT

Physical therapist

In 2018, technology has evolved around the world and challenged the status quo in many respects. Technology has progressed in homes, schools, and right in the palm our hands. To have a cellphone means having a camera, a plethora of apps, and a GPS. The next chapter of impact through technology is continued, more impactful change in the healthcare space.

This fall Apple announced the release of a device that has the ability to be a jack of all trades: the Apple Watch Series 4. This watch could transcend the healthcare field with self-monitoring in calories burned, heart rate, heart irregularities, and fall detection with immediate emergency SOS response.

As a FOX Rehabilitation clinician treating older adults, the Apple Watch has great potential to shift the often reactive healthcare system to a proactive one.

But is the timing right?

AT WHAT COSTS TO THE OLDER ADULT?

In a world evolving in technology, there’s always one central question: At what cost? The self-driving Tesla will always cost more than the efficient Honda, just as the iPhone XS Max will always cost more than the Motorola Moto G6. I love the innovative and convenient features of the new iPhone, but the price tag keeps me at bay. The new iPhone has an average price tag of $1,250.

Now let’s bring in the Apple Watch Series 4 with an average cost of $400 to $500 with capabilities only synced with iPhones. So we’re talking about a $1600 to $1700 investment per patient if the patient doesn’t already have a compatible iPhone.

However, an investment in personal health and wellness could save individuals thousands in healthcare costs and reduce the risk of potential surgeries down the road. The shift in technology use from generation to generation regarding smartphones such as the iPhone improves the potential for routine use of complementary devices like the Apple Watch. Additionally, good analysis on the current products and emphasis on certain specifications for specific models could allow more affordable options as well.

 DOES THE APPLE WATCH 4 HAVE VALIDITY FOR HEALTH CARE?

In the field of physical therapy, we emphasize the use of an evidence-based approach to maximize our impact on patients. When testing patient baselines in strength, endurance, balance, and fall risk using functional outcome measures, those measures have been thoroughly tested to ensure our findings translate to making valid statements.

Apple can put together a great advertisement that will have you first in line to get your pre-ordered product each fall, but how were these devices tested? Were professional associations like the American Physical Therapy Association and American Medical Association involved? It hasn’t been publicized as such, but a mutual collaboration among those organizations and Apple could be key in creating confidence in the product for the consumer and medical providers alike.

HOW WOULD IMPLEMENTATION PAN OUT?

For medical practices to implement technology, the use of technology must be emphasized in medical schools across the country. Is the average practicing physician ready to accept or incorporate this device in their care for a patient? Many practicing physicians treating for over 15 years have seen the tech evolution of so many medical devices. But will they trust what they see in the Apple Watch 4? They’ve been successful all these years using tried and true tools, so what would convince physicians to integrate the Apple Watch’s new technology?

Conversations and perspective change the status quo daily. Today, we begin that conversation regarding the Apple Watch Series 4’s potential.

STUDENT PERSPECTIVES ON THE APPLE WATCH 4 FOR OLDER ADULTS

I reached out to several medical students to get their thoughts on the Apple Watch 4’s potential. With a range of responses, here’s what I heard:

“I would recommend this Apple Watch product to future patients as an additional tool to monitor their health,” said Molly O’Neil, a student at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine. “It is an easy way to keep track of health and fitness and is a good alternative to Life Alert and other fall detection devices.

She added while some older adults may have a hard time figuring out how to use the watch, their families and healthcare providers could assist, and everyone could benefit from this device.

Andy Yancone, a third-year student of American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, believes the watch would be useful in the geriatric population because its fall detection component could help reduce geriatric hospital admissions.

However, Yancone isn’t sold on other features of the watch.

“I am not too fond of the idea of EKG monitoring as there could be false readings and cause unnecessary anxiety in a patient along with increasing the number of unnecessary ED admissions,” Yancone said. “If a patient is concerned about arrhythmia, they should be placed on a more accurate Holter monitoring device. However, if the information is sent to the patient’s physician it could be valuable in that start of a cardiac workup.”

Nhi Tran, a medical student from Rowan University, fears older adults may not be compliant in wearing the watch consistently. Just as Yancone, she questions the efficacy of the watch’s heart monitoring. On the other hand, she does believe the watch could help older patients manage stress and lose weight, provided they can afford the costs.

“As someone who owns [an Apple Watch], I do find the exercise and breathe apps to be helpful,” Tran said.