Report: Doctors Support Patient Self-Tracking of Health Information
Physicians generally support the idea of patients using self-tracking to collect and share their health data, according to a new report by Manhattan Research, Clinical Innovation & Technology reports.
Report Details
For the report, Manhattan Research conducted an online survey of 2,950 physicians across 25 specialties (Pedulli, Clinical Innovation & Technology, 4/11).
The survey was conducted during the first quarter of 2013 (Manhattan Research release, 4/11).
Report Findings
According to the report, 70% of surveyed physicians said at least one of their patients is sharing health measurement information with them.
However, the report found that most patients do not use advanced technology to provide such data to their doctors. Instead, many patients:
- Hand-write their health data; or
- Provide a printout of their health information.
Nearly 75% of surveyed physicians said that patient self-tracking can lead to better health outcomes, the report found (Clinical Innovation & Technology, 4/11).
James Avallone, director of physician research at Manhattan Research, said, "Self-tracking is already a part of the care paradigm, and its prevalence is going to accelerate rapidly as digital connection, payment reform and outcome-focused delivery make advances" (Manhattan Research release, 4/11).
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