The Importance of Health Instruments in Primary Care

The Importance of Health Instruments in Primary Care

Health instruments are portable medical devices that allow people to monitor their own health. They can be used to measure blood oxygen levels, track activity, or even help with breathing disorders like COVID-19 or bronchitis. They empower individuals to be in control of their own health and are a great complement to regular visits with doctors or physiotherapists.

A health instrument can be anything from a simple heart rate monitor to an advanced glucometer. Depending on the purpose, each device has specific characteristics that distinguish it from other similar medical devices. For example, a blood pressure monitor is an essential tool for people suffering from hypertension, as it helps them keep their blood pressure within a healthy range. Alternatively, a glucometer helps diabetics to accurately and efficiently monitor their blood glucose levels.

In recent years, primary care has started to shift from an approach based on “care and illness” towards one that is focused on ‘behaviour and health’. However, professionals often do not have the tools to support this shift in behaviour (Geense et al., 2013). One promising tool concerns the use of e-health instruments developed to encourage behavioural change.

An e-health instrument can be anything from a simple self-report questionnaire to an online application that automatically provides insights into personal health risks and offers suggestions for healthy lifestyle changes. A growing body of evidence indicates that e-health instruments can improve health outcomes and reduce costs (Franssen & van der Zee, 2009; Geense et al., 2011; Zarrinkhameh, 2015).

While there are many different types of e-Health instruments available, there are some critical design considerations to consider when designing such devices. For instance, an e-health instrument needs to be easy and intuitive for users to use. In addition, it should be capable of measuring and interpreting complex biomedical data in a user-friendly manner.

Another crucial factor is the ability to integrate a wide range of tests into a small form factor. This requires miniaturization of the sensor and processing capabilities, along with smart algorithms to ensure accurate results. This is especially important when converting laboratory-based medical devices to point-of-care and near patient applications.

Lastly, the e-Health instrument must be robust and reliable enough to withstand the demands of a clinical environment. For this reason, many medical devices are tested and approved for use in hospitals and clinics before being marketed as personal health monitoring tools.

For example, a pulse oximeter is a non-invasive device that attaches to the finger and measures blood oxygen and pulse rate. This is important for patients with lung diseases or respiratory disorders, as it shows whether or not sufficient oxygen is getting to the organs.

Another popular e-Health instrument is the heart rate monitor, which measures the frequency and strength of the beating of the human heart. A typical e-health heart rate monitor displays the current beats per minute and records data throughout the day. Moreover, some of these devices can detect abnormal heartbeats and alert users to potential health problems.