In addition to functioning as a timekeeping device, a smartwatch is a wrist-worn “general-purpose, networked computer with an array of sensors”. Smart watches have the potential to transform health care by supporting/evaluating health in everyday living because they: (1) are familiar to most people; (2) are increasingly available as a consumer device; (3) enable near-real time continuous monitoring of physical activity and physiological measures; (4) support tailored messaging and reminders; (5) enable communication between patients, family members, and health care providers; and (6) allow for in situ, mini-surveys and behavior verification based on sensor-based measures. Two identified areas where the benefits of these devices may accrue are epilepsy and cardiology treatment and research. The use of smart watches as a personal health information device is consistent with the fundamental theorem of biomedical informatics, which states: “A person working in partnership with an information resource is ‘better’ than that same person unassisted.” . Information from smart watches have the capability to integrate with nascent Internet of Things platforms, such as Lab of Things, or Piloteur, and electronic health record (EHR) data to provide holistic views of personal health trajectories across contexts. Further, Rawassizadeh et al. cite market research that predicts growth of smart watch demand to 214 million units in the year 2018. From a financial feasibility standpoint, current prices for smart watches start at less than $100 USD for the Pebble Classic. Historically, health care professionals have been limited by face-to-face visits, patient recall or self-report instruments in their ability to evaluate patients for issues such as arrhythmias, activity levels or blood pressure changes. These methods of assessment do not capture day-to-day events or are limited by patient recall. The availability of smart watches have gained the attention of recreational users, but their use for health care decisions will require evaluation of these devices for that purpose. However, smart watches are an emerging technology and research for health-related purposes with these devices is at a nascent stage.
