In an era of increasing digitalisation and the growing importance of technology in various aspects of our lives, the healthcare sector is not lagging behind. Cutting-edge solutions such as artificial intelligence, e-health services and teleportation are gaining popularity and acceptance among patients.
A recent survey of users of various forms of healthcare reveals a complex picture of expectations and attitudes towards these innovations. On the one hand, there is a growing group of people who are positive about the impact of technology on the quality and accessibility of healthcare services. On the other hand, however, there is still an information gap and a certain level of scepticism that needs to be addressed. This article aims to discuss the key findings of the survey and their implications for the future of healthcare in the digital age.
The majority of respondents (29.37% strongly agree and 32.38% rather agree) are open to the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare, especially if it will reduce waiting times to see a doctor.
The openness to the use of artificial intelligence in the medical context shows that there is a growing demand for more efficient and automated solutions in healthcare. Patients are increasingly aware of the technological possibilities and are prepared to accept them if it brings tangible benefits, such as faster access to a doctor.
It is also a signal to medical institutions and technology developers that the market is ready for innovation. It is time to invest in the development and implementation of AI-based tools that can speed up diagnosis, treatment planning or appointments. The public's response to this issue could be the catalyst for further investment and research in this field.
The survey also shows that the vast majority of respondents (44.60% definitely and 38.33% rather) have a positive view of the opportunities offered by e-health services, such as e-prescriptions and the Internet Patient Account
This extremely positive response to e-health services, such as e-prescriptions and the Internet Patient Account, indicates a growing acceptance of digitalisation in healthcare. People increasingly recognise the benefits of using technology, such as convenience and quick access to medical information. This opinion may also be the result of personal experience with an e-health system that makes life easier for both patients and medical staff.
It is also worth noting that such a positive response may encourage service providers and policy makers to further develop and improve existing e-health systems. It may also prompt public education on the use of these tools so that as many people as possible can use them and experience their benefits.
Although teleportation is less unanimously rated (24.27% strongly agree and 35.23% tend to agree that it improves access to services), it is still considered beneficial by the majority of respondents.
However, a certain group of sceptics cannot be ignored; 17.66% of respondents tend to disagree and 16.07% strongly disagree with a positive assessment of teleportation. This suggests that there are barriers to full acceptance of this form of healthcare for a certain section of the population. These include possible shortcomings in remote communication and concerns about the quality and comprehensiveness of remotely delivered health services.
Despite this divide in opinion, it is worth noting that teleportation is one of the directions in which modern medicine is developing. The offer of remote consultations has the potential to significantly improve access to healthcare, especially for those living in sparsely populated or hard-to-reach areas. Undoubtedly, however, additional measures, such as patient education or improvements in the safety and quality standards of teleportation, will be required to gain the full trust of the public.
Although the majority of respondents (16.90% strongly and 38.16% rather) agree that technologies have a positive impact on service quality, as many as 22.01% responded that they 'do not know / it is difficult to say'.
A surprisingly large number of respondents expressed uncertainty or lack of opinion about the impact of technology on the quality of healthcare. This may suggest that the issue is still open or unclear for many people, which may be due to a lack of sufficient knowledge or experience with new technological tools in medicine. This may also reflect mixed feelings about the impact of technology on human interactions in the context of healthcare.
Against this background, it seems important for the health sector to undertake education and outreach activities. Through these, patients can gain a fuller understanding of how different technologies affect healthcare standards. This education could also help to dispel myths and fears that may hinder the full use of available technological tools in healthcare.
This result points to an important element in the scale of adoption of e-health solutions: the digital competence of patients. This sends a signal to both healthcare providers and policy makers that investment in digital education can bring tangible benefits in the context of healthcare. It is not just about knowing how to use apps or websites, but also about understanding how the tools in question can affect the quality and efficiency of care.
Additionally, this highlights the need for an integrated approach that not only introduces new technologies, but also educates patients on how to use them effectively. This could include various forms of training, access to online educational material or assistance in the form of so-called 'digital ambassadors' who can help less experienced users to understand and adapt new developments.
The vast majority (52.72% definitely and 32.55% rather) believe that the addition of new functionalities in the myIKP app will increase its use by patients.
This result suggests that users are ready to accept new functionality in health apps and are confident that these innovations will have a positive impact on their healthcare experience. This could be a sign to developers of apps and other digital tools in healthcare that continuous updating and the introduction of new features are key to increasing patient engagement and improving the quality of care.
It is also worth noting that since respondents are open to new functionalities, this may also mean that they are more willing to use advanced technologies, such as real-time health monitoring or virtual consultations with specialists. This also gives room for experimentation with features that may be more technically complex, but could significantly improve patients' quality of life.
The survey shows that patients are increasingly open to the use of technology in healthcare. On the other hand, there is still a group that is unaware or sceptical of these changes. Therefore, education and communication are key to increase acceptance and understanding of the benefits of digital transformation in healthcare.