Most Users of Health, Fitness Wearables Report Challenges

About 8% of consumers globally own a wearable fitness tracker and 6% own a wearable health monitor, but few appear to find these smart devices easy to use, according to a new report from Accenture, MobiHealthNews reports (Dolan, MobiHealthNews, 1/6).

Report Details, Findings

For the report, Accenture surveyed 24,000 consumers who were at least 14 years old in 24 countries between October 2014 and November 2014 (Gold, "Morning eHealth," Politico, 1/7).

The survey found that within the 12 months after taking the survey:

• 12% of respondents planned to buy a wearable fitness tracker; and
• 10% planned to buy a wearable health monitor.

In addition, about 40% of respondents said they planned to buy either a health or fitness wearable device within the next five years (MobiHealthNews, 1/6).

However, the survey found that 83% of consumers who purchased a smart device -- including wearable fitness trackers, wearable health monitors and smartwatches -- said they had trouble using them (Accenture report, 1/5).

Regarding wearable health monitors:

• 24% of respondents said they were too complicated;
• 22% said the devices did not set up properly; and
• 21% said they did not work as advertised (MobiHealthNews, 1/6).

Recommendations

To gain further consumer confidence, the report suggested that smart device vendors should:

• Foster high levels of data security and privacy;
• Offer stand-out digital brands; and
• Provide a great consumer experience "right out of the box" (Accenture report, 1/5).