Smartglasses Have Value in Healthcare
A report found on M Health Intelligence dated January 12 2017 states that hospitals and health systems are finding value in smart glasses. Digital health companies such as Augmedix and Pristine are noted. The article features quotes by Augmedix CEO Ian Shakil. Augmedix recently closed a $23 million round of funding, 6 months after a capital injection of $17m and partnering with four national health systems.
Benefits brought to the healthcare industry by smart glasses include:
- Time saved in admin work (2-3 hours per day)
- Gives physicians hands-free access to information while they’re in front of the patient.
- “Dramatically more humane conversation with patients”
- The article states that tech-enhanced glasses are found everywhere from operating rooms to patients’ bedsides to offices and clinics.
- Technological advancements are in areas like battery power, CPU performance, Wi-Fi capability and software upgrades
- The simplicity of smartglasses may give the product an advantage over bulkier and more expensive VR and AR headsets which could affect vision and interfere with patient conversations.
- Doctors and patients seem to like smartglasses and value them
The future could focus on functionality beyond scribing and data retrieval and develop functions like care assistance reminders, content delivery and tasks and analytics.