Although many patients see the value of health monitoring technology, home care providers still have to build trust to assuage clients’ privacy concerns, according to a new survey by Best Buy.
Remote patient monitoring has benefits for home care patients and providers alike. Best Buy surveyed approximately 1,000 adult consumers regarding their thoughts on health-related technologies. More than half said that RPM could improve their relationship with care providers by allowing clinicians to have a better understanding of their daily health. Approximately a fourth said that RPM helps them feel more confident receiving health diagnoses or prescribed treatments.
For home health providers, RPM gives clinicians enhanced visibility into patients’ homes, allowing them to spot risks and make better preventive care decisions. Best Buy noted that this benefit can yield financial rewards for providers participating in value-based care programs.
Many patients, however, still hold doubts about RPM, according to Best Buy’s survey. Almost 40% of respondents named privacy concerns as a top issue related to RPM, and about 30% expressed fears that they would not be able to use or fix their health monitoring devices. Many patients also reported concerns related to the installation or purchasing of RPM, and a few indicated that they did not believe that using RPM would have any positive effect on their health.
Still, many respondents reported satisfaction with home-based care options. Among patients who have used home care, RPM or telehealth, more than 80% reported that they were satisfied with their experience of each, according to the survey.
Best Buy became more deeply involved in home care last year. In December, it forged a partnership with RPM solutions firm Biobeat to bring patients tools to better track their blood pressure, pulse, breathing and blood oxygen. The retailer has also partnered with Geisinger and Mass General Brigham to enhance the health systems’ hospital-at-home offerings.
The McKnight’s Tech Daily is an e-newsletter for the audiences of McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, McKnight’s Senior Living and McKnight’s Home Care.
