Study: Patients want access to their health data

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The Philips Future Health Index is an international mood barometer for the further development of a networked healthcare system. This time in focus: the attitudes of patients and medical professionals to electronic patient files, telemedicine and artificial intelligence.

76 percent of the medical specialists surveyed use the electronic patient file in day-to-day clinical practice, 61 percent use telemedical applications and 46 percent use artificial intelligence technologies. Electronic data exchange has also become part of everyday medical practice in most countries. 80 percent of medical staff stated that they had already exchanged patient data digitally within their own facilities. However, only 32 percent of those surveyed shared medical data with others beyond their own institution. What hinders data exchange between institutions: data protection, data security, lack of access to the corresponding systems and lack of interoperability.

Clear benefits of the ePA are still questionable

Although the electronic patient record (ePA) is on the rise, many medical professionals do not yet see any clear benefit in using it. Nevertheless, 69 percent of those surveyed believe that the use of electronic patient records would have a positive effect on the quality of medical care. However, only 59 percent expect an improved treatment outcome for the patient.

Medical professionals attach even less importance to telemedical applications. 39 percent said they did not use telemedicine at all in their daily work. Only 33 percent rated the impact of telemedicine on patient experience as positive over the past five years.

On the other hand, 45 percent of patients can imagine using telemedical consultations in non-urgent cases in order to receive medical services faster or at all. 71 percent of the patients surveyed stated that they had never had to go to a doctor, despite the medical indication. The main reasons for this are: difficulties in making an appointment, lack of time, a missing referral from your family doctor or the unavailability of a specialist in your own region.

Lack of information about artificial intelligence

Although the majority of healthcare professionals can imagine using artificial intelligence to identify anomalies (59%), patient monitoring (63%), and staff and patient planning (64%), over half of respondents do not want this for treatment recommendations, use the implementation of treatment plans or for diagnosis.

The mutual exchange of health data between medical professionals and patients has by no means reached everyday medical practice. While 40 percent of healthcare professionals regularly instructed their patients to measure blood pressure, physical activity, and weight using digital technology or health apps, only a tenth said that most or all of their patients shared data with them. Only a third of patients who use health apps or the like regularly share this data with healthcare professionals.

Patients want data access

According to the study, the majority of patients are interested in having their own health data. 63 percent of the patients wished they had access to their electronic patient files. Main motivation: better management of your own health, more control and comfort.

84 percent of patients with access to their own digital patient file also want to share this health data with medical professionals. In particular, the younger generation of medical professionals (18 to 34 years) expects this to provide a better experience for the patient. 40 percent of patients over 55 would rather use health apps and the like if they were advised to do so by medical professionals.

The Future Health Index was launched by Philips in 2016 and is considered a representative mood for attitudes and perceptions in international digitally supported healthcare. For the 2019 study, 15,000 individuals and over 3,100 medical professionals from 15 different countries (online) were asked about their attitudes towards digital health technology.

Chart: Philips Future Health Index

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