Wearable Tech in Healthcare: Opportunities and Challenges
Wearable technology has revolutionized personal health monitoring, empowering individuals to take control of their well-being like never before. From tracking steps to monitoring heart rates and detecting sleep patterns, wearables are becoming an integral part of the healthcare ecosystem. The journey of wearable health technology began with simple pedometers and fitness trackers. Over the years, these devices have evolved into sophisticated tools capable of monitoring health metrics like ECGs [electrocardiograms], blood oxygen levels, and glucose levels. Key milestones include the launch of the Fitbit in 2009, popularizing fitness tracking, the launch of the Apple Watch in 2015, which debuted with integrated health features, and continuous glucose monitors becoming mainstream in the early 2020s. These advancements illustrate the rapid progression of wearable technology and further underscore its potential in the market. The global market for wearable medical devices was valued at $60 billion in 2022 and has been growing steadily. This Insight article explores the opportunities and challenges in wearable health tech, outlines key design considerations for designing in this area, and provides product examples to bring the concepts to life.
Opportunities in Wearable Health Monitoring

The rise of wearable health technology is transforming the landscape of personal healthcare, offering users real-time insights that empower them to take charge of their well-being. These devices provide immediate healthcare metrics as well as feedback on those metrics, and play a pivotal role in preventative care, chronic disease management, and personalized health solutions. By integrating with advanced technologies like AI and the Internet of Things (IoT), wearables are changing how individuals monitor their health and engage with healthcare providers, ultimately fostering a more proactive, data-driven approach to wellness.
1. Empowering Individuals with Real-Time Insights – Wearables provide users with immediate feedback on their health, fostering awareness and encouraging healthier habits.
Product Example: Fitbit Charge 6 The Fitbit Charge 5 offers real-time feedback on a user’s health by tracking heart rate, activity levels, and sleep patterns. With built-in features like the Daily Readiness Score and stress management tools, the device empowers individuals to monitor their health continuously and adjust their habits accordingly to improve well-being.
2. Preventative Healthcare – By identifying early warning signs of conditions such as arrhythmias or sleep apnea, wearables can facilitate timely interventions and reduce healthcare costs.
Product Example: Withings ScanWatch The Withings ScanWatch is a hybrid smartwatch that combines traditional timekeeping with advanced health monitoring. It can detect early signs of arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation (AFib) through an ECG feature, as well as monitor blood oxygen levels and sleep apnea. This helps users identify potential health issues before they become critical, enabling timely interventions and preventative care.
3. Chronic Disease Management – Devices like continuous glucose monitors and blood pressure trackers enable patients to manage conditions such as diabetes and hypertension more effectively.
Product Example: Dexcom G6 Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) The Dexcom G6 is a continuous glucose monitoring system designed for individuals with diabetes. It provides real-time glucose readings and sends alerts when blood sugar levels are too high or low. This allows users to take immediate action to manage their diabetes more effectively, reducing the risk of complications associated with the condition.
4. Personalized Health Solutions – Wearables’ ability to collect continuous data allows for tailored health recommendations, advancing the concept of precision medicine.
Product Example: Oura Ring The Oura Ring collects a wealth of personal health data, including sleep patterns, physical activity, heart rate variability, and body temperature. It uses this continuous data to provide personalized insights and recommendations, helping users optimize their lifestyle and health habits based on their unique biology and needs, advancing the concept of precision medicine.
5. Integration with AI and IoT – Connected ecosystems, powered by artificial intelligence, allow wearables to sync with other devices and share data with healthcare providers, enhancing diagnosis and care coordination.
Product Example: Apple Watch Series 10 The Apple Watch Series 10 is an excellent example of wearable health technology that integrates AI and IoT. The device tracks a range of health metrics (like heart rate, ECG, blood oxygen levels, and more), and syncs with other devices and apps within the Apple ecosystem. Through machine learning, it provides personalized health insights and allows healthcare providers to access the data for better diagnosis and care coordination.
Challenges in Designing Wearable Health Devices

Designing wearable health devices presents a unique set of challenges that require careful consideration of both technical and user-centric factors. From creating a seamless user experience that balances comfort and functionality to ensuring the accuracy, reliability, and security of the data collected, developers must navigate a complex landscape. Additionally, concerns over battery life, data privacy, and regulatory compliance add further layers of complexity to the design process, making it essential for manufacturers to strike a balance between innovation and practicality.
1. User Experience (UX) Design – Wearables must strike a balance between aesthetics, usability, and comfort for long-term wear.
2. Data Accuracy and Reliability – Ensuring consistent, reliable data in varying conditions (e.g., movement, temperature) remains a significant hurdle.
3. Battery Life and Power Efficiency – Extended battery life is important for user satisfaction as well as functionality, requiring careful trade-offs in hardware design.
4. Data Privacy and Security – Protecting sensitive health information from breaches is paramount, especially in connected devices.
5. Regulatory Compliance – Navigating stringent regulations, such as FDA approval, can slow innovation and increase development costs.
Design Considerations for Wearable Health Tech
With these opportunities and challenges in mind, what should we be thinking about as designers approaching a wearable project in the healthcare industry? Well…ideally, a lot. Here are a few of the considerations we prioritize here at Interwoven when designing wearable health devices.

1. Ergonomics + Comfort – Devices should be comfortable and adaptable to various body types for continuous use and suitability for a broad audience.
2. Materials and Durability – Hypoallergenic and sweat-resistant materials ensure safety and reliability. Sustainable materials also appeal to eco-conscious users.
3. Aesthetics – Designers must create visually appealing devices that seamlessly integrate into users’ lifestyles.
4. Accessibility – Products should cater to diverse demographics, including older adults and individuals with disabilities, ensuring inclusivity.
Take a look at our Breg CrossRunner Soft Knee Brace project or our Whitecloud Medical Utility Bag project to get a sense of how these considerations play out in a real application. Check out our Spotlight interview with medical design consultant Yukiko Naoi to dive deeper into the design process for medical projects.
Case Study: Apple Watch’s ECG Monitoring
The introduction of the Apple Watch’s electrocardiogram (ECG) feature in 2018 marked a major milestone in wearable health technology. With FDA clearance, the Apple Watch became one of the first consumer devices to offer medical-grade heart health monitoring, allowing users to detect signs of atrial fibrillation (AFib) and other heart conditions. By enabling users to take an ECG with just the touch of their finger on the watch’s digital crown, Apple combined cutting-edge technology with an intuitive, user-friendly interface. This design made it easy for individuals, even those without a medical background, to perform the test and receive immediate results. The seamless integration of this feature into the Apple Watch’s existing ecosystem of health and fitness tracking tools offered users a holistic approach to heart health monitoring, empowering them to stay proactive about their well-being.

The success of the Apple Watch’s ECG feature underscores the importance of regulatory compliance and user-centric design in wearable health tech. FDA clearance not only ensured that the device met high medical standards for accuracy and safety but also established it as a trusted tool for health monitoring. This regulatory approval boosted consumer confidence, positioning the Apple Watch as a legitimate, medically reliable device. By detecting conditions like AFib early, the wearable has the potential to prevent serious health issues, ultimately reducing healthcare costs and improving patient outcomes. As wearable technology continues to evolve, the Apple Watch’s ECG feature serves as a prime example of how innovation, regulatory adherence, and user experience can come together to create a product that positively impacts personal and public health.
The Role of Design
Designers play a pivotal role in the success of wearable tech in healthcare. By prioritizing human-centered design, they can create solutions that are not only functional but also transformative. As wearables continue to evolve, designers must think beyond aesthetics to address usability, inclusivity, and sustainability. Together, these considerations will pave the way for innovations that improve lives and redefine healthcare. Wearable technology represents a unique intersection of design, technology, and healthcare. For design professionals, this field offers immense opportunities to contribute meaningfully while tackling exciting, genuine challenges. The future of wearable health tech is bright—and design is at the core of that potential.
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