Setting the scene: Mobile and wearable technology for managing healthcare and wellbeing

The growing proliferation of mobile and wearable technology (MWT) offers interesting use cases when applied to health and wellness management. Current trends towards more longer term health and wellness management coupled with global challenges around the provision of healthcare to aging populations with tighter budget constraints, create rich opportunities to exploit this new technology to maintain health and wellness. This paper provides an overview of commonly available MWT and examines how it can be used in health and wellness systems. Case studies are given from two recent research projects and the issues and challenges that arise in the use of MWT are discussed. We conclude that MWT offers some key advantages in some healthcare situations, but that care must be taken to select appropriate technology for each use.