TORONTO – While Canadians can order a pizza, a movie or a taxi online or from an app on their smartphone, they are surprisingly unaware of technology solutions that will allow them to better manage their healthcare, according to a study commissioned by Telus Health.
The Telus Health Digital Life survey, conducted by Maru/VCR&C from May 30 to June 3, 2016, found that 89% of those surveyed believe digital health technology will lead to better care. Further, at least 85% report missing out on digital tools that would allow them to take control of their personal health just as effortlessly as other day-to-day activities.
The survey also found that 89% of millennials, 83% of Gen Xers and 79% of baby boomers say that they feel comfortable with the idea of digital health technology tools, with nearly nine out of 10 (87%) of all respondents saying they are comfortable with sharing their medical history digitally between their healthcare providers.
But only 15% of respondents reported conducting any kind of health-related activity online, and about half (at least 48%) are unaware of services already available through electronic methods at medical offices, health clinics or pharmacies in some parts of the country.
"Our health is our most prized possession, and Canadians may not realize that by embracing technology we can all better manage our health and the health of our loved ones," said Telus Health VP Hélène Chartier, in the news release. "Whether it's to refill your prescription online or to get an alert when your child's medication runs low, we all need to ask our doctors how we can do more to technology to help understand our health. The more we use digital tools to manage and share relevant health information with our doctors, the more ubiquitous this technology will become in our everyday lives and transform the way Canadians receive care."
Other highlights from the survey include:
– Of those surveyed, 81% agreed that health information should be shared digitally between doctors and pharmacists, and 75% agree that electronic prescriptions would limit the number of medical errors;
– More than three-quarters (76%) of respondents believe that electronic medical records (EMRs) improve communication between doctors and their patients, though 56% couldn't say if their family doctor used one;
– Respondents ranked personal banking (75%), social media (51%) and shopping (50%) among the most important things they do online, while fewer than half (48%) ranked access to personal medical records as one of their top online activities.
