Summary
GAO assessed wearable technologies used in clinical decision-making, including how artificial intelligence may augment their capabilities, and identified challenges involving accuracy, reliability, clinical-workflow integration, privacy, and navigation of the health-technology market. It presents policy options to continue current activities, improve clinical workflows and infrastructure, and establish a public database of wearables completing an independent certification process.
Healthcare Implications
The assessment could inform future federal legislation, agency guidance, standards, procurement practices, and healthcare-system governance for AI-enabled wearables. Its options emphasize performance testing and disclosure, protection of wearable health data, clarification of clinician responsibilities, workflow integration, and independent certification, but impose no present obligations.