Survey finds that One-Third of Doctors Recommend Mobile Health Apps

More than 33% of physicians have recommended mobile health applications to their patients, according to a new Manhattan Research survey, MobiHealthNews reports (Comstock, MobiHealthNews, 5/29).

Details of Survey

For the survey, Manhattan Research polled 3,066 practicing physicians across several specialties, including:

  • Cardiology;
  • Gastroenterology;
  • Primary care;
  • OB-GYN; and
  • Oncology.

The poll was conducted during the first quarter of this fiscal year (Manhattan Research release, 5/29).

Additional Survey Findings

In addition to recommending health apps, the survey found that 47% of physicians who owned smartphones used the devices to show patients videos or images (MobiHealthNews, 5/29).

The survey also found that physicians are increasing their use of telemedicine and remote care devices (Manhattan Research release, 5/29). Specifically:

  • Nearly 25% of physicians used secure patient portals to communicate with patients over the past year;
  • More than 20% used secure messaging platforms to communicate with patients; and
  • More than 20% used remote patient monitoring (MobiHealthNews, 5/29).

Meanwhile, about 40% of physicians said that using digital technology to communicate with patients will boost patient outcomes (Manhattan Research press release, 5/29).

James Avallone, director of physician research at Manhattan Research, said, "As we move to an outcomes-based model of health care provision in the U.S., remote monitoring and telehealth are going to drive an extension of the point of care," adding, "We're seeing physician attitudes really align with policy" (MobiHealthNews, 5/29).

Source: iHealthBeat, Monday, June 2, 2014

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