Sharing patient-generated data with healthcare providers: findings from a 2019 national survey

Our study estimates the prevalence and predictors of wearable device adoption and data sharing with healthcare providers in a nationally representative sample.

Data were obtained from the 2019 Health Information National Trend Survey. We conducted multivariable logistic regression to examine predictors of device adoption and data sharing.

The sample contained 4159 individuals, 29.9% of whom had adopted a wearable device in 2019. Among adopters, 46.3% had shared data with their provider. Individuals with diabetes (odds ratio [OR], 2.39; 95% CI, 1.66-3.45; P < .0001), hypertension (OR, 2.80; 95% CI, 2.12-3.70; P < .0001), and multiple chronic conditions (OR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.03-2.32; P < .0001) had significantly higher odds of wearable device adoption. Individuals with a usual source of care (OR, 2.44; 95% CI, 1.95-3.04; P < .0001), diabetes (OR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.32-2.08; P < .0001), and hypertension (OR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.44-2.20; P < .0001) had significantly higher odds of sharing data with providers.

A third of individuals adopted a wearable medical device and nearly 50% of individuals who owned a device shared data with a provider in 2019. Patients with certain conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension, were more likely to adopt devices and share data with providers. Social determinants of health, such as income and usual source of care, negatively affected wearable device adoption and data sharing, similarly to other consumer health technologies.

Wearable device adoption and data sharing with providers may be more common than prior studies have reported; however, digital disparities were noted. Studies are needed that test implementation strategies to expand wearable device use and data sharing into care delivery.