Wearable Devices for Epidemiologic Research: Current Trends, Methods, and Future Directions

Daniel Fuller, PhD

Associate Professor |
Community Health and Epidemiology | University of Saskatchewan

WHEN: Monday, March 25, 2024, from 4 to 5 p.m.
WHERE: Hybrid| 2001 McGill College, Rm 1140 | Zoom
NOTE: Daniel Fuller will be presenting in-person

Abstract

Wearable devices have been extensively used in epidemiologic research for both exposure assessment and outcome measurement. There is currently an explosion in our ability as researchers to use wearable devices in our work. Simultaneously, individuals have large-scale access to commercial wearable device data (e.g., Apple Watch, Fitbit) to inform health decision-making. This seminar will focus specifically on two aspects of wearable devices. First, it will discuss a recently published paper from our research group comparing Global Positioning System data from different types of devices. Second, the seminar will address the implications of measurement error for both research-grade and commercial-grade wearable devices. Finally, we will explore a potential future for research using both research-grade and commercial wearable devices in epidemiology.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, attendees will:

• Understand the pros and cons of different types of wearable devices for research and personal health monitoring;
• Apply knowledge of exposure assessment to global positioning system data;
• Analyze challenges for epidemiologic research when commercial wearable devices are used.

Speaker Bio

Daniel Fuller is Associate Professor in Community Health and Epidemiology at the University of Saskatchewan. His research is focused on using wearable technologies to study physical activity, transportation interventions, and equity in urban spaces. Dr. Fuller has an MSc in Kinesiology from the University of Saskatchewan, a PhD in Public Health from Université de Montréal. He leads the Interventions, Equity, and Research in Cities Team (INTERACT) study, co-leads the CapaCITY/É research project, and contributes to the Artificial for Intelligence for Public Health (AI4PH) project.