A new recent study by Ketchum reveals that despite potential concerns about privacy, Americans are becoming more comfortable with the idea of using a mobile device to manage health. In fact, a growing number of Americans with smartphones are sharing medical information via device, tracking their health on devices and also show a surprising level of comfort using artificial intelligence (AI) for health:
· 6 in 10 Americans with a smartphone say they’ve shared information with a medical professional via the Internet on their smartphone, mobile app or wearable device
· 1 in 4 emailed or texted a photo of a medical issue to a doctor
· 2 in 5 (39%) Americans say they’re comfortable using artificial intelligence. Although 32% said they are likely to use an A.I. search tool, like Siri®, only 9% would use an artificially intelligent therapist
· Almost half (47%) of respondents have an app that tracks fitness, working out, health or medicine
· 83% of people who use fitness or workout apps use them at least once a week
This shift in attitude and willingness to use technology to manage health presents a real opportunity for healthcare and technology companies to better understand potential mHealth users and implement mobile technologies that can help improve patient care and reduce healthcare costs.
As part of the study, the Ketchum mHealth Monitor identified five types of mobile health users illustrated in the infographic shown below, segmented by current attitudes toward mHealth, health behaviors and overall mobile/technology adoption to gain a better understanding of people’s likes, dislikes and general habits when it comes to mHealth
