Two in three, or 68 percent, of physicians surveyed strongly intend to use remote patient monitoring technology – like continuous glucose or blood pressure monitors - to manage their patients’ health in the future, says a new study from the Consumer Technology Association (CTA).
“Remote patient monitoring technology has the potential to revolutionize health care with benefits like earlier diagnosis, better outcomes and cost savings,” said Lesley Rohrbaugh, director of research, CTA. “Given the need for increased accuracy and affordability for patients, we see a clear demand for this technology.”
The unique study,
Connected Health and Remote Patient Monitoring: Consumer and Industry Use, surveyed a nationally representative online sample of 2,004 U.S. adults in addition to health care providers that included 100 primary care physicians, 60 endocrinologists and 40 nurses. CTA also surveyed reimbursement stakeholders like health insurance companies and policymakers.
Remote Patient Monitoring Benefits
The health care professionals surveyed highlighted the biggest benefits of using technology to manage health: improved patient outcomes (49 percent), improved compliance rates (44 percent) and patients taking more ownership of their health (42 percent).
For patients, the top three benefits are detailed information on personalized health (43 percent), faster access to health care services (42 percent) and more influence on their own well-being through ownership of health data (37 percent).
Doctors Drive Digital Health Uptake
Over half (52 percent) of consumers indicate they would use a connected health device as part of their treatment if a doctor made the recommendation, showing physicians as a strong driver for the use of technology in managing conditions. Almost a third (31 percent) would be influenced by pharmacist recommendations or by a health insurance company.
Main Challenges to Adoption
Health care professionals view data security as the main barrier to technology uptake. Additionally, over half of health care professionals believe that funding for health technology is the responsibility of the technology industry and manufacturers developing solutions. Clinically-proven evidence was cited as critical for adoption by both payers and policymakers interviewed.
While a majority (56 percent) of consumers would be happy to share health data with their doctor in order to get more accurate diagnosis and treatment solutions, they also cite data security as their biggest concern, putting emphasis on the need for clear guidance and reassurance on patient data safety.
“The study shows consumers and health care professionals’ enthusiasm to embrace remote patient monitoring devices,” said René Quashie, vice president, policy and regulatory affairs, digital health, CTA. “Industry initiatives that promote a balanced approach to patient data safety will foster the life-changing benefits of these devices.”
The Future of Remote Patient Monitoring
Looking ahead, almost one in two health care professionals believe technology has made health and fitness more accessible to their patients and agree that patients are happy to share this data with them. Additionally, about four in ten (39 percent) physicians believe in a future where patients will track every aspect of their health via technology.
Connected Health and Remote Patient Monitoring: Consumer and Industry Use is available for free for CTA members or for purchase at
CTA.tech/research.
