Research shows people's perception of technology in health
“This survey indicates people's willingness to become part of the solution to the world's health problems with the help of all types of technologies,” says Eric Dishman, Intel Fellow and general manager of the Strategic Solutions Group and Intel Health. “Most people seem to like the idea of, in the near future, using technologies that allow them to be treated outside the hospital walls, giving them the chance to share their information anonymously for better results and treatments tailored to the specific genetic profile of each person,” concludes Dishman.
Intel's survey revealed that respondents' greatest desire regarding the intersection of health and technology is to provide more personalized care based on their own behaviors. In addition, they hope that technological advances will make it possible for care to be provided in the place and time that is most convenient for the patient.
The user as part of the process
More than 70% of participants are receptive to the use of toilet sensors, prescription bottle sensors and ingestion monitors to collect current and actionable personal health data. The survey also points out that 66% of people prefer personalized treatment based on their genetic profiles and biology, and 53% of respondents said they trust a test they self-administered in the same way, if not more, than one administered by a doctor.
“Technologies like high-performance computing and big data analytics have the power to change the face of health in this world, and most people seem to want it,” says Dishman. "When there is a choice between having the same treatment as other people with the same symptoms or having a treatment based on their own genetic profile, two out of three respondents choose personalized treatment."
Sharing information for good
In order to encourage advances in the field of medicine and reduce costs for all, survey respondents indicated their willingness to share their information. Data revealed that the vast majority of people (84%) in the eight participating countries would anonymously share their health information, such as laboratory results, if this could reduce drug costs or the overall cost of the health care system.
“Improving health is a team sport, including patients and their families,” added Dishman. Intel's research demonstrates that when people see the benefits to themselves and their communities, they are open to sharing very sensitive information. “In the end, that will be the key to victory,” added Dishman.
Of the survey respondents, most prefer to share their lab results (47%) than their phone records (38%) or bank information (30%) to help innovation.
the hospital at home
For 57% of people all over the world hospitals will be obsolete in the future. They believe technological innovation will make it possible to unburden points of care and reduce the costs of having to see a doctor in person for many aspects of health care, freeing people from conventional time and location constraints.
"The treatment should take place at home as a standard model, not in a hospital or clinic," said Dishman. “New technologies can bring decision-making, health monitoring and health workers into homes. It was also interesting to see that people in emerging markets like Brazil, China and India trust themselves to use monitoring technologies more than those in more technologically advanced economies like Japan and the United States.”
Of the total, 72% of respondents are willing to see a doctor via videoconference for routine appointments. As technological innovation and tools for self-monitoring improve, people can adopt technologies that allow them to connect with their physicians in new ways, such as the use of sensors that transmit real-time health data. Current technologies, such as social networks and video conferencing, will also help in adopting new behaviors.
Main perceptions of Brazilians
- 46% of Brazilian respondents would trust a diagnosis provided by their physician via videoconference.
- 72% of Brazilians are receptive to communication technologies that allow them to remotely connect with their doctors.
- The innovation least likely to be incorporated by the global population is the use of a robot to perform surgery.
- More than half of Brazilian respondents (52%) would trust themselves to monitor their blood pressure.
- 65% of Brazilian respondents said traditional hospitals will become obsolete in the future, compared to 57% of respondents worldwide.
The survey was conducted online between the 28th of July and the 15th of August 2013, with 12,000 adults of legal age, with a margin of error of about 0.89 percentage points. More information: www.intel.com/newsroom/healthcare.
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