According to a study conducted for PwC Global Healthcare by the Economist Intelligence Unit, consumer perception and expectations for mHealth may increase its adoption despite physician skepticism.
In general, healthcare consumers view mobile health positively due to its convenience and other factors, while physicians are more cautious, citing care and reimbursement concerns. Fifty-two percent of consumers predict that within the next three years, mHealth will improve the convenience, cost and quality of healthcare.
The study included two surveys — one of consumers and one of physicians — in 10 markets, including Brazil, China, Denmark, Germany, India, South Africa, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The study found that consumers believe mHealth will have a significant impact on healthcare and will alter traditional relationships within the industry:
• About 49 percent of consumers said they expect mHealth will change the way they manage chronic conditions, their medication and their overall health.
• Fifty-nine percent of consumers believe mHealth will change the way they seek information on health issues, and 48 percent expect it to change the way they communicate with physicians.
• Among consumers who are already using mHealth services, 59 percent said mHealth has replaced some visits to physicians or nurses.
In comparison, the study found that physicians are more cautious than consumers in their outlook on mHealth:
• Only 27 percent of physicians encourage patients to use mHealth applications to become more active in managing health. Thirteen percent of physicians actually discourage it.
• Forty-two percent of physicians surveyed worry that mHealth will make patients too independent.
• Sixty-four percent of physicians said that mHealth offers exciting possibilities, but there are too few proven business models. Forty-nine percent of respondents said the existing reimbursement structure was another barrier, while 44 percent cited privacy and security issues.
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In general, healthcare consumers view mobile health positively due to its convenience and other factors, while physicians are more cautious, citing care and reimbursement concerns. Fifty-two percent of consumers predict that within the next three years, mHealth will improve the convenience, cost and quality of healthcare.
The study included two surveys — one of consumers and one of physicians — in 10 markets, including Brazil, China, Denmark, Germany, India, South Africa, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The study found that consumers believe mHealth will have a significant impact on healthcare and will alter traditional relationships within the industry:
• About 49 percent of consumers said they expect mHealth will change the way they manage chronic conditions, their medication and their overall health.
• Fifty-nine percent of consumers believe mHealth will change the way they seek information on health issues, and 48 percent expect it to change the way they communicate with physicians.
• Among consumers who are already using mHealth services, 59 percent said mHealth has replaced some visits to physicians or nurses.
In comparison, the study found that physicians are more cautious than consumers in their outlook on mHealth:
• Only 27 percent of physicians encourage patients to use mHealth applications to become more active in managing health. Thirteen percent of physicians actually discourage it.
• Forty-two percent of physicians surveyed worry that mHealth will make patients too independent.
• Sixty-four percent of physicians said that mHealth offers exciting possibilities, but there are too few proven business models. Forty-nine percent of respondents said the existing reimbursement structure was another barrier, while 44 percent cited privacy and security issues.
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