Survey: Clinicians Rate Biometric Devices as Most Effective Patient Engagement Tech

There are many technologies for engaging patients in their own care, but according to a survey of members of the NEJM Catalyst Insights Council, patient portals are not viewed as the most effective technology for patient engagement initiatives.

NEJM Catalyst is part of the NEJM Group that produces The New England Journal of Medicine.

The survey of close to 600 NEJM Catalyst Insights Council members, which includes healthcare executives, clinician leaders and clinicians, revealed that biometric measurement devices, such as wireless scales and glucometers, are viewed as the most effective, chosen by 85 percent of respondents. More clinical leaders (89 percent) responding to the survey than clinicians (81 percent) agree that biometric devices are the most effective technology.

Apps (75 percent) are rated the second most effective technology for patient engagement initiatives, followed by texting (70 percent), which was rated more highly by executives (77 percent) than clinicians (65 percent).

The survey findings indicate that few respondents found any technology “extremely” effective—only five percent rated biometric measurement devise and apps that way, and texting was the highest with 8 percent.

Looking at other technologies, 68 percent of all respondents rated wearables as effective, 65 percent said email was effective and 63 percent said web-based interactive programs, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, was an effective technology for patient engagement. Only 58 percent of respondents said portals were an effective strategy for patient engagement, with only 15 percent saying it’s “very” effective.