Public Perception of Digital Health Tech & Data Use
TL/DR –
The public generally supports the use of health technologies and data, but this varies depending on the technology, application, and user characteristics. Policymakers need to engage with a diverse range of the public when considering the use of technology in healthcare to avoid unequal uptake among social groups. There is also public support for the use of data beyond care delivery, such as service planning and research, but trust in data use needs to be strengthened, particularly among younger people, to ensure data quality and representativeness.
Harnessing Health Technologies and Data for Enhanced Care
Optimizing health technologies and data use can significantly improve healthcare quality and efficiency. The general public is largely in favor of employing cutting-edge healthcare technologies, with many individuals expressing a desire for increased implementation. However, public support varies depending on the specific technology, its application, and the user’s characteristics.
Addressing Disparities in Technology Acceptance in Healthcare
It appears that women and low-income individuals are often less supportive of many healthcare technology applications. These data highlight the necessity of inclusive public engagement when strategizing on potential technology implementation. Failure to do so could lead to irregular technology adoption among various social groups, affecting access and outcomes.
The Importance of Public Engagement for Future Healthcare Technologies
For the coming years, NHS leaders and policymakers must prioritize substantial public engagement regarding future healthcare technology. They must understand and address public apprehensions, raise awareness, and build confidence in new technology-enabled approaches. This engagement should include the views of those often overlooked in public consultations.
Public Trust and Secondary Use of Health Data
There is noticeable support for utilizing data beyond care delivery for purposes such as service planning and research, even when data is identifiable and used by commercial entities. However, there’s a lack of trust among young people, and the fact that almost 20% of the surveyed individuals don’t back secondary data usage can impact data quality and representation.
Growing Trust in the Use of Health Data
As we move into an era of increased scrutiny following the £330m contract award to manage NHS England’s Federated Data Platform, ensuring data collection, storage, and use aligns with public trust and support is paramount.
Public Engagement on Health Data Use
UK-wide public sector organizations, local, and national governments have increased their public engagement on health data use. For instance, NHS England plans large-scale engagement events under the Data Saves Lives Strategy. Considering the varied attitudes across age groups, it’s crucial to effectively engage young people in these dialogues to inform future policy.
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