Nearly 90% of people managing chronic conditions in the U.S. surveyed for Sony’s mSafety Wearable Platform Division said they could better manage their conditions with remote monitoring.

The study was published in time for the American Telemedicine Association's virtual conference today. It looked at the rate of adoption and interest in remote health-monitoring technology targeted at people living with chronic conditions.

TOP-LINE DATA

Researchers asked a series of questions to gauge participants’ feelings towards remote monitoring.

Some people find managing their conditions to be “stressful” and “difficult,” according to the data.

Specifically, 29% of those surveyed said they struggle to continuously track their vitals, and 35% said they feel stressed about keeping up with or misreporting their vitals.

They also found that about three-quarters of the people would wear a remote-monitoring device specifically designed for their condition if it was prescribed by their doctor. Yet, only 20% said they have been prescribed one of these devices.

Almost half of the surveyed participants said if they could share their health information with their doctor remotely, they would physically visit the doctor’s office less. Nearly 54% said they could cut out at least three visits annually if they could remotely monitor their condition.

The study also looked into remote monitoring during the COVID-19 pandemic and found that 61% of people surveyed would feel safer if they had a remote-monitoring device provided by their doctor.

HOW IT WAS DONE

Survata, and independent intelligence firm, conducted the survey between May 29 and June 2 this year.

The study included responses from 2,005 people age 18 to 65-plus managing chronic conditions in the U.S. The male-to-female breakdown was 52% to 48%, respectively.

THE LARGER TREND

The rise of telemedicine and remote monitoring has been one of the largest trends during the pandemic. It allows patients to connect with their physicians without risking their safety.

In response to calls from health officials and organizations, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services broadened how remote monitoring could be used during this time.

Since then, the market has boomed with new digital devices. Conversa, VitalPatch and Philips are just three of the many companies to come out with advances in the remote-monitoring space.

ON THE RECORD

“Chronic conditions cost the U.S. healthcare system $3.1 trillion in 2019, and the burden of ongoing treatment and compliance impacts patients and providers alike,” Arnol Rios the head of network communications sales and business development in North America for Takeoff Point, said in a statement. “What this study highlights is that U.S. consumers are eager to adopt remote health monitoring devices. Wearable devices — like the mSafety device — hold the potential to reduce the need for costly and complex acute interventions that don’t align with proactive, personalized care models of the future.”