In a recent survey conducted by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), about two-thirds of physician respondents said they “strongly intend” to employ continuous and remote patient monitoring technologies in future treatment, with just over half of consumers reporting that they would use such devices if recommended by their physician.
"Remote patient monitoring technology has the potential to revolutionize health care with benefits like earlier diagnosis, better outcomes and cost savings," Lesley Rohrbaugh, director of research for the CTA, said in a statement. "Given the need for increased accuracy and affordability for patients, we see a clear demand for this technology.”
According to a release from the CTA, the “Connect Health and Remote Monitoring: Consumer and Industry Use” survey polled 2,004 US adults, 100 primary care physicians, 60 endocrinologists, 40 nurses and other stakeholders in healthcare reimbursement.
Health care workers who responded said they were most enthusiastic about how these technologies could improve patient outcomes (49 percent), as well as by the opportunity to improve compliance (44 percent) and help patients take ownership of their data (42 percent). As for those patients, receiving more detailed information about their health (43 percent), speedier access to care (42 percent) and greater agency through data ownership (37 percent) topped the list of benefits.
But for many respondents, the technology still faces a handful of barriers before seeing widespread use. Those from a healthcare background often cited data security, funding and a lack of clinical evidence as chief concerns, while consumers echoed concerns about how their personal data should be protected.
WHY IT MATTERS
Alongside the benefits highlighted by respondents, remote monitoring offers an opportunity to keep patients from expensive hospital stays. Interest in the technology from providers and consumers could hasten its adoption.
"The study shows consumers and health care professionals' enthusiasm to embrace remote patient monitoring devices," René Quashie, VP of policy and regulatory affairs for digital health at the CTA said in a statement. "Industry initiatives that promote a balanced approach to patient data safety will foster the life-changing benefits of these devices.”
WHAT’S THE TREND
Convenient, clinical-grade remote monitoring technologies have also become something of a focus for the tech device industry. Earlier this year Scottish startup Current Health (formerly snap40) landed FDA clearance for an AI-enabled vital sign monitor, while Sentinel Healthcare recently closed a $2 million round to continue work on its connected blood pressure cuff.
