A new study is underway at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center to determine if an mHealth kit, consisting of a wearable monitor and a pair of virtual reality glasses, can help people recover from work-related injuries more quickly and without the use of opioids. The plan is to monitor around 90 to 140 participants who will be using a “digital pain reduction kit” over a period of 16 months to see if the need for pain medications can be reduced. Many workplace injuries can cause chronic pain and a need for ongoing pain management. Researchers are looking for a way to help get people back to work without the risky use of opioids. While there are still many questions surrounding this emerging technology, it may have potential in reducing the need for Brockton workers’ compensation lawsuits.
What is mHealth Technology?
mHealth stands for mobile health, a terms used to describe the use of mobile devices in health care. This new technology has been used in devices such as the Fitbit and the Apple Watch to name a few. The technology generally consists of a wearable monitor, such as a bracelet, and an application downloaded onto a smartphone device. The monitor is worn by the user and collects certain data, such as distance walked, heart rate, and the number of calories burned. This data is stored in the user’s app and can easily be retrieved for use in a health care setting.
How Can mHealth Technology be Used in Health Care?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved the use of mHealth devices in the treatment of patients with epilepsy. The system used in these cases consisted of a wearable monitor to alert treating doctors of seizure events in their patients. Other uses include alerting providers of heart attacks and strokes. Many health care providers also use items such as Fitbits and the Apple Watch to track and monitor how much activity patients are getting in order to develop effective treatment plans. The hope is that this sort of technology can also be utilized in pain management cases and for work-related injuries.
Contact an Experienced Brockton Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
If you have been injured while at work, you may be entitled to collect workers’ compensation benefits for lost wages, medical bills and possibly a lump sum settlement, among other benefits. Our firm works with experienced workers’ compensation lawyers in Brockton, and there are no fees unless you receive an award or settlement. For a free (no obligation) case evaluation, call us at 1-508-436-7000 or toll free at 1-800-992-6878. You may also fill out a contact form online.
Source:
Paul d’Oliveira
Attorney Paul d’Oliveira has been practicing personal injury and disability law for over 30 years. He started his personal injury law practice in 1989 with two offices in Fall River, MA and East Providence, RI. Today his firm has 16 offices in RI and Southeastern, MA.
Rate this Post
Loading...