Remote patient monitoring (RPM) leads to better outcomes with less intrusion. Until now, the big question has been whether or not patients are ready to embrace RPM as part of mainstream care. Riding in on a wave of increased access to telehealth, increased RPM adoption allows the patient-provider relationship to be more meaningful and accurate with less in-person time. What’s especially interesting about this survey’s results is that most people polled are already participating in some form of remote health accessibility!
According to a new survey of 300 Americans conducted in May of 2021 by a leading global market research firm called MSI International, patients are fully ready to embrace RPM because they recognize its benefits for safely and effectively monitoring chronic conditions. In addition, the survey identifies three driving factors behind why patients are receptive to RPM today. Those factors are greater convenience (43 percent), efficiency (39 percent), more control over personal health (37 percent) and peace of mind (36 percent).
Where Views on Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) Stand Today
Four out of five patients polled say that they view RPM favorably. Nearly half of all Americans are eager to incorporate it into their existing medical care. These patients aren’t just speaking based on hypothetical scenarios. Of those polled, 88 percent had health care performed remotely within the past 12 months. There are higher levels of enthusiasm in regards to specific medical monitoring. Here’s a look at receptivity regarding RPM for specific conditions:
- Blood Pressure: 70 percent
- Heart Rate: 68 percent
- Blood Sugar: 66 percent
- Blood Oxygen: 65 percent
What Are the Concerns People Have About RPM?
While receptivity for RPM is at an all-time high, patients still have some hesitations. Nearly half of those polled expressed concerns over accuracy, reliability and potential complications caused by monitoring devices. These hesitations point to the need for patient education with an emphasis on care providers selecting quality, user-friendly monitoring technology that satisfies the overarching desires for convenience, efficiency, more control over personal health and peace of mind that are driving the growth in receptivity to RPM.
Research Roundup: The Public Is Ready for RPM
The overall perception of RPM for health management is positive. Patients are incredibly enthusiastic about being able to monitor chronic conditions in a convenient, accurate way that gives them peace of mind. The data makes it clear that patients are ready to begin taking greater control of their own health with greater collaboration with care professionals. In addition, the real-time benefits of RPM empower patients to initiate contact with their care providers based on data that they can observe in their daily routines.
