9 In 10 Patients Ready To Connect Via Mobile

By Katie Wike, contributing writer

Ninety percent of patients surveyed by ORC International for the Society for Participatory Medicine (SPM) say they are ready and willing to partner with their providers for a healthier life. 

Patients are eager to connect with physicians in an effort to improve their overall health according to a survey by ORC International for the Society for Participatory Medicine (SPM). Of over 1,000 respondents, 84 percent say they believe self-monitoring apps and devices can boost health management efforts. Four out of five noted they are likely to use a mHealth device when recommended by a provider.

“What this survey points out is that patients want to become engaged in their own health and collaborate with their health care professionals,” said Daniel Z. Sands, MD, MPH, co-founder and co-chair of the Society for Participatory Medicine and a practicing physician in an announcement. “Patients view themselves as key contributors of health data to manage their own health between visits, and to share during visits. Ultimately, we believe that this will lead to improved patient outcomes and lower costs to the health care system.”

Fierce Mobile Healthcare reports 76 percent of respondents say they are willing to use an easy and accurate mHealth device, and 77 percent believe such technology would be beneficial for patients and care providers.

“Increasingly, patients are actively monitoring their own health data to better self manage their health and collaborate with their health care professionals. Self-monitoring is a vital component of an efficient and high-functioning health care system. This survey confirms that this concept resonates with the public and that most respondents are willing to utilize technology to gather this data to improve their health,” says Sands.