News Feature | November 2, 2015

Technology Allows Doctors, Patients To Partner

Katie Wike

By Katie Wike, contributing writer

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A Deloitte survey has uncovered the fact that many patients want to use health technology to learn more about their health, as well as partner with their doctors to make informed decisions.

Patients want more control over their healthcare, and technology is enabling them to do just that. A survey of more than 3,600 U.S. adults found more than half prefer a partnership with their doctor where they feel decisions are made together — a partnership made possible with the use of technology.

According to researchers at Deloitte, there are three areas where patient engagement in increasing:

  • Partnering with providers: Thirty-four percent of survey respondents strongly believe that doctors should encourage patients to research and ask questions about their treatment, and 58 percent feel that doctors should explain treatment costs to them before decisions are made.
  • Tapping online resources: One-quarter of consumers say they have looked at a scorecard or report card to compare the performance of doctors, hospitals, or health plans compared to 19 percent two years ago. Among Millennials who have needed medical care, scorecard use has grown from 31 percent to 49 percent.
  • Relying on technology: Among consumers with major chronic conditions, tech-based monitoring has jumped from 22 percent to 39 percent in the last two years. More than 60 percent of tech users say that utilizing health technologies has had a significant impact on their behavior.

MobiHealth News reports 63 percent of U.S. adults who use fitness or health monitoring technology report it has led to significant behavior change. Additionally, 28 percent of respondents had used technology to measure fitness and health goals and 23 percent had used technology to monitor a health issue, up from 17 percent and 15 percent respectively in 2013. Forty percent shared that fitness or monitoring information with their doctor.

“Health care is becoming more digitized and consumer oriented,” Greg Scott, principal at Deloitte Consulting, said in a statement. “It’s not an overnight change, but more like how summer turns into fall — gradual yet very perceptible.”

“As the industry shifts toward value-based care models, and relationships among providers and payers become more integrated and collaborative, new opportunities may arise to develop innovative consumer engagement strategies that support a more seamless, streamlined, and personalized customer experience. Delivering a superior customer experience cost-effectively may be key to remaining competitive in an industry that is sharpening its focus on value,” concluded authors.