Jonathan Collins, principal analyst at ABI Research, says the popularity of consumer-facing wearables is propelling healthcare innovation in new technology – from better sensors to more sophisticated algorithms – to make wearables clinically relevant. Fitbit has been collaborating with several high - profile health - research institutions and Fitabase , a research company that gathers data from wearables , to " better engage study participants , collect more objective data , and ultimately , develop new interventions that may positively influence patient care . " Research has shown that patients need to be motivated to track their health and that this occurs pre- and post - treatment . Fitbit said that supporting the research community is " critical " to​ its growth as a digital health company .
Fitbit has been collaborating with several high - profile health - research institutions and Fitabase , a research company that gathers data from wearables , to " better engage study participants , collect more objective data , and ultimately , develop new interventions that may positively influence patient care . " Research has shown that patients need to be motivated to track their health and that this occurs pre- and post - treatment . Fitbit said that supporting the research community is " critical " to​ its growth as a digital health company .