In 2016 & 2019, the American Medical Association conducted a study of physician motivations and requirements for adopting digital health tools, and have recently released an updated study for 2022.
Digital health tools include; telehealth, remote patient monitoring, wearables, apps, and more.
The goal of the research was to update the prior studies to determine the degree in which adoption has occurred over the past several years, and identify attitudinal shifts among physicians towards the use and adoption of digital health tools.
1,300 physicians were included in the survey for the 2022 study.
We've summarized key insights regarding remote monitoring from the 2022 AMA Digital Health study.
- More physicians recognize the advantages of using digital health tools
- There is an increase in the percent of physicians, across the board, that recognize the advantages of leveraging digital health tools.
- 2016 – 85% perceived some or definite advantage
- 2019 – 87% perceived some or definite advantage
- 2022 – 93% perceived some or definite advantage
- In 2022, 93% of physicians surveyed perceive some advantage, or definite advantage, when using digital health tools to provide care for patients.
- Of the 93%, 49% perceive a definite advantage.
- Physicians over the age of 51 saw a large increase in the perceived advantage of digital health solutions, with a jump from 29% to 40% between 2016 and 2022 in those that perceived a "definite advantage."
- Current use of digital health tools has increased
- The average amount of digital health tools currently being used by physicians has grown among all physicians regardless of gender, specialty, or age. The largest growth in adoption was among digital health tools that aid in remote care.
- Virtual visits/ telemedicine visits saw the largest increase in use
- 14% currently using in 2016
- 28% currently using in 2019
- 80% currently using in 2022
- The average amount of digital health tools used by physicians was 3.8 for 2022, and jump up from 2.4 in 2019.
- Remote Monitoring use has increased, and has high enthusiasm amongst physicians
- There was an increase in the use of remote monitoring technologies for management and improved care.
- 13% currently using in 2016
- 22% currently using in 2019
- 34% currently using in 2022
- The digital health tools that garner the most enthusiasm from physicians are tele-visits (57%) followed by remote monitoring devices (53%)
- Of those that were enthusiastic about remote monitoring, 30% plan to implement remote monitoring devices in 2023 or sooner.
- The top 3 motivators for implementation amongst physicians that are not currently using remote monitoring were;
- Improves health outcomes
- Improves diagnostic ability
- Improves work efficiency
- The top 3 functional drivers for implementation amongst physicians that are not currently using remote monitoring were;
- As good as traditional care
- Well integrated with EHR
- Can be reimbursed for time
- Familiarity of remote monitoring technologies is high amongst physicians (78%), an increase from 2016’s survey (63%)
What we can glean from the report, is that remote monitoring usage is still low amongst physicians (34%), but enthusiasm is strong, and the intent to implement within the next year is high. Addressing the concerns and functionality requirements of physicians regarding digital health tools will be key to scaling adoption and alleviating hesitations for implementation.