Public knowledge and perceptions of connected health

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Health Informatics
• Public Health

Background:

• Connected health (CH) is an emerging area in healthcare delivery.
• Understanding public perception is crucial for CH adoption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess public knowledge and perceptions of connected health (CH).
• To identify factors influencing willingness to use CH.

Main Methods:

• Face-to-face interviews with 1003 members of the public in Northern Ireland.
• Structured questionnaire on CH knowledge, provision, and technology use.
• Multivariable analysis to determine factors influencing future CH use.

Main Results:

• 92% of respondents had never heard of CH.
• ≈90% viewed CH favorably, preferring general practitioners for provision.
• Concerns exist regarding workload reduction and device usability.
• Positive influences on CH use include familiarity with chronic disease and lower IT concerns.
• Older adults and those concerned about data privacy showed less willingness to use CH.

Conclusions:

• Significant public awareness and education initiatives are necessary for CH.
• Addressing concerns about technology and privacy is key to increasing CH acceptability.