Survey: 83% of physicians use mobile devices
Physicians across the practice setting spectrum are adopting mobile technology at a rapid rate, according to a recent study from QuantiaMD. Eighty-three percent of responding physicians reported that they own a mobile device capable of downloading applications and 44 percent of those who do not have a mobile device intend to purchase one in 2011.
The findings are based on responses to an online survey of 3,798 physicians that QuantiaMD, a Waltham, Mass.-based online physician-to-physician collaborative, conducted between May 5 and May 12.
The iPhone was in most physicians’ hands, as 59 percent of respondents owned one. The iPad was the second most common device among respondents, with a 29 percent share, followed by Android smartphones (20 percent). Multiple responses were allowed, QuantiaMD stated.
Of the 287 respondents who said they intended to purchase a mobile device, most (39 percent) stated they plan on buying an iPhone.
“Our survey finds that 30 percent of physicians use a tablet device, compared to just 5 percent of U.S. consumers. Of these physicians who are tablet users, two-thirds, or 19 percent of all physicians, use their tablet in a clinical setting,” wrote author Mary Modahl, CMO of QuantiaMD. “Another 35 percent of physicians surveyed say they are extremely likely to use a tablet within the next few years to help their practice. This suggests that adoption of the tablet by physicians for use in professional settings may soon exceed 50 percent.”
Twenty-five percent of responding physicians use both smartphones and tablets.
Among 2,985 responding physicians, looking up drug and treatment reference material was the most common professional activity for users with both a smartphone and a tablet (73 percent). Fifty percent of users with both a smartphone and a tablet said they use the mobile devices to learn about new treatments and clinical research.
“One notable impact of tablets is that physicians are much more interested in accessing patient data and records via a mobile device with a tablet (24 percent) than with their smartphone (15 percent),” the report stated.
Although 82 percent bought their gadgets personally, 8 percent of 3,153 respondents noted that their institution supplied their mobile device. For 3,136 respondents, the Apple platform dominates, with more than 60 percent of smartphone users having iPhones. Fifty-three percent of the respondents noted that their institution provided them with the iPhone while 59 percent bought it for their private practice.
“Among barriers that may impede use of mobile devices, physicians are most concerned about patient privacy and physician liability, and lack of financial reimbursement for physician time and investment in using this technology,” Modahl concluded. “Physicians also cite limited institutional support for peer-to-peer engagement using mobile technology. Concerns about patient privacy and liability also feature as physician-patient barriers. Interestingly, though, just 37 percent of physicians cite lack of technology among patients as a barrier.”
The findings are based on responses to an online survey of 3,798 physicians that QuantiaMD, a Waltham, Mass.-based online physician-to-physician collaborative, conducted between May 5 and May 12.
The iPhone was in most physicians’ hands, as 59 percent of respondents owned one. The iPad was the second most common device among respondents, with a 29 percent share, followed by Android smartphones (20 percent). Multiple responses were allowed, QuantiaMD stated.
Of the 287 respondents who said they intended to purchase a mobile device, most (39 percent) stated they plan on buying an iPhone.
“Our survey finds that 30 percent of physicians use a tablet device, compared to just 5 percent of U.S. consumers. Of these physicians who are tablet users, two-thirds, or 19 percent of all physicians, use their tablet in a clinical setting,” wrote author Mary Modahl, CMO of QuantiaMD. “Another 35 percent of physicians surveyed say they are extremely likely to use a tablet within the next few years to help their practice. This suggests that adoption of the tablet by physicians for use in professional settings may soon exceed 50 percent.”
Twenty-five percent of responding physicians use both smartphones and tablets.
Among 2,985 responding physicians, looking up drug and treatment reference material was the most common professional activity for users with both a smartphone and a tablet (73 percent). Fifty percent of users with both a smartphone and a tablet said they use the mobile devices to learn about new treatments and clinical research.
“One notable impact of tablets is that physicians are much more interested in accessing patient data and records via a mobile device with a tablet (24 percent) than with their smartphone (15 percent),” the report stated.
Although 82 percent bought their gadgets personally, 8 percent of 3,153 respondents noted that their institution supplied their mobile device. For 3,136 respondents, the Apple platform dominates, with more than 60 percent of smartphone users having iPhones. Fifty-three percent of the respondents noted that their institution provided them with the iPhone while 59 percent bought it for their private practice.
“Among barriers that may impede use of mobile devices, physicians are most concerned about patient privacy and physician liability, and lack of financial reimbursement for physician time and investment in using this technology,” Modahl concluded. “Physicians also cite limited institutional support for peer-to-peer engagement using mobile technology. Concerns about patient privacy and liability also feature as physician-patient barriers. Interestingly, though, just 37 percent of physicians cite lack of technology among patients as a barrier.”