Before breakfast, you may already have checked your sleep score, resting heart rate or blood oxygen level. By bedtime, you might look at your step count, stress score or even an estimate of your biological age. For millions of people, keeping tabs on health and wellbeing has become almost as routine as checking the weather.
Authors
- Kevin J. Munro
Ewing Professor of Audiology, University of Manchester
- Adele Goman
Lecturer in Psychology, University of Leeds
- Gabrielle Saunders
Professor of Audiology, University of Manchester
Tests and measurements that once meant a trip to the doctor can now be done at home using smartwatches , phone apps and self-testing kits. And our latest research suggests that this trend is likely to continue.
In a survey of more than 4,000 UK adults, 79% said they already track at least one aspect of their health or wellbeing. Even more (86%) said they would be willing to do so if the NHS recommended it.
The NHS is also moving in this direction. Rather than relying on hospital appointments, it wants more people to manage long-term conditions at home, with digital tools helping to spot problems earlier. That means self-monitoring is likely to become much more common. The UK government’s ten-year health plan for England identifies a shift from hospital to home, from analogue to digital, and from sickness to prevention as key priorities for the future of healthcare.
Public attitudes towards self-monitoring health
In our survey, blood pressure was the most commonly monitored health measure, followed by fitness and exercise. Most people who had monitored their health said they trusted the results they received, particularly for measures such as blood pressure and blood sugar. More than 76% said they would be willing for results to be sent automatically to their GP.
It’s easy to see why these devices have caught on. Tracking your health can make it easier to spot changes, notice patterns and understand what is normal for you. Studies suggest it can encourage healthier habits and help some people manage long-term conditions, especially when healthcare professionals are involved.
Many respondents in our survey described self-monitoring as empowering. They felt it improved awareness of their health, gave them greater control, motivated lifestyle changes and provided reassurance. Others valued the convenience of being able to check aspects of their health without needing to make an appointment.
It could also help the NHS. Research suggests that monitoring people at home can help doctors spot problems and may improve care for people with long-term conditions.
More information is not always better
However, a recurring concern among survey respondents was anxiety. Some worried that self-monitoring might make them check excessively or focus too much on small changes and become anxious about normal ups and downs. Others were concerned about inaccurate readings, difficulties interpreting results and uncertainty about what action to take afterwards.
Some health tests and gadgets aren’t as reliable as people assume , and even accurate results can be difficult to interpret without medical advice. Without proper guidance, self-monitoring can create false reassurance as well as unnecessary worry. Previous studies have found that self-monitoring is most effective when combined with education, tailored feedback or professional support rather than used in isolation.
Perhaps surprisingly, spotting a possible problem didn’t always mean people did anything about it. Depending on what was being monitored, between 14% and 38% of people reported taking no action after discovering a problem or concern.
Monitoring alone is not enough. To have real value, people need clear advice about when to seek help, when to monitor again and when a result is unlikely to be important.
And not everyone is equally likely to benefit from self-monitoring. We found that willingness to self-monitor was lower among men, older adults, people living in more deprived areas, and those with lower levels of education. That’s important because using health apps and devices often depends on having the right technology, knowing how to use it and feeling confident interpreting the results. Studies show that digital health literacy tends to be lower among older adults and those with lower levels of education.
Although many devices are becoming cheaper, some still involve costs. In our survey, only around 33% of respondents said they would be willing to pay for monitoring equipment or apps.
If checking your health at home becomes the norm, there’s a risk that the people who could benefit most are the least likely to have access to the technology or feel confident using it.
Recent reviews of digital health technologies have warned that innovations can unintentionally widen existing health inequalities if differences in access, affordability and digital literacy are not addressed. Any move towards home-based monitoring needs to be accompanied by support, education and alternatives for those who are less comfortable with digital technologies.
More of us are likely to be checking our health at home in the years ahead. Used well, these tools could help people stay healthier and catch problems earlier. But they should support good medical care, not replace it – and they need to work for everyone, not just people who can afford the latest gadgets or feel comfortable using them.
