Technological advances in the domain of wearable rehabilitation medical technology holds promise to optimize delivery and efficiency of healthcare. In no area of PRM is this more evident than in acute pain management. The combination of wearable technology with a “digital ingestion tracking program” (DITP) embedded within a pain pill may allow patients, caregivers as well as healthcare providers to track ingestion of pills through the web or a smartphone app. Monitoring of pill consumption compliance and adherence may be optimized.

This study will explore the DITP system and assess its clinical utility and applicability to rehabilitation medicine. A systematic review of the literature will be presented along with the illuminating case history of a PMR patient who's functional outcome was significantly impacted by the technology. Photos of DITP technology will be shared for didactic purposes.

While there are many advantages of DITP including fostering enhanced compliance, improved adherence, empowerment of patients; several disadvantages exist such as cost and potential privacy concerns.

DITP can aide physiatrists in the daily management of pain patients by electronic verification of whether the patient has taken their prescribed pill and at what time. For patients on opioid medication, this is immensely important as compliance is a cornerstone of proper pain management. Enforcement and support of statutory safeguards can prevent improper diversion and abuse of pills. In an age of international concern over opioid abuse, DITP may offer an innovative strategy for enforcing proper use of pain medication in PRM.