Associations Between Sociodemographic Factors and Interest in Remote Patient Monitoring Among Arkansas Residents

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Digital Health
• Health Equity

Background:

• Remote patient monitoring (RPM) enables digital health data transmission for informed medical decisions.
• While RPM use surged during the pandemic, data on its adoption in underserved US areas is limited.
• Understanding sociodemographic factors influencing RPM interest is crucial for equitable healthcare access.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between sociodemographic characteristics and interest in RPM use in underserved areas.
• To identify factors influencing adoption of remote patient monitoring technologies post-pandemic.
• To inform strategies for increasing RPM uptake among diverse populations.

Main Methods:

• A survey of 2201 adults in Arkansas was conducted in March 2022 using random digit dialing.
• Weighted estimates were generated using rank ratio estimation to match 2019 American Community Survey data.
• A partial proportional odds model analyzed adjusted odds ratios for interest in RPM based on sociodemographic factors, health care access, and self-rated health.

Main Results:

• Adults aged 60+ had lower odds of interest in RPM compared to those aged 18-39 (OR=0.61).
• Hispanic adults (OR=0.68) and non-Hispanic adults of other races/ethnicities (OR=0.67) showed lower odds of interest compared to non-Hispanic White respondents.
• Prior telehealth users had significantly greater odds of reporting higher interest in RPM (OR=1.93).

Conclusions:

• Interest in remote patient monitoring is significantly associated with sociodemographic factors.
• Targeted interventions are needed to address reluctance and boost RPM interest in marginalized and underserved populations.
• Future research should focus on understanding and overcoming barriers to RPM adoption in diverse communities.