Wearables, Healthcare-Computer Interaction and the Internet of Obscure Medical Things

Khattak, Khalid Ahmad, Woolley, Sandra I and Collins, Tim ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2841-1947 (2024) Wearables, Healthcare-Computer Interaction and the Internet of Obscure Medical Things. In: 37th International BCS Human-Computer Interaction Conference, pp. 225-229. Presented at 37th International BCS Human-Computer Interaction Conference, 15–17 July 2024, University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).

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Abstract

In recent years, wearable computers, in the form of wrist-worn trackers and smartwatches, have transitioned apace from the well-being market into the set of ‘Internet of Medical Things’ (IoMTs) used in clinical research and healthcare. Despite concerted efforts invested in improved clinical research practices and, more generally, in improved reporting and repeatability in research, failings in the reporting practices of IoMTs and other health technologies mean that fundamental materials information is too frequently obscure. This paper contributes novel insights from work in progress that is systematically analysing the specificity of wearable wrist-worn IoMT interventions reported in completed and reported clinical trials. Results compiled for the earliest and most recent 10% of completed trials recorded in the international ClinialTrials.gov repository demonstrates substantial failings in reporting practices and a complete absence of version reporting. To better understand and improve on current practice and failings, we propose that Healthcare-Computer Interaction (as a sub-genre of Human-Computer Interaction) is deserving of further attention.