New Study Shows the Public Are Comfortable With and Want to Embrace Digital Technologies in Healthcare

Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published the results of the National Engagement on Digital Health and Social Care, a project undertaken in partnership with the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive (HSE). The aim of the project was to understand the opinions and attitudes of both the Irish public and professionals working in health and social care on a digital approach to health and social care.

The study was conducted in the context of EU targets and the Health Information Bill 2024, which pave the way for people having access to and control over their health records digitally in Ireland. The project comprised of a survey of over 2,000 members of the public, and a separate survey of over 1,000 professionals working in health and social care. A number of focus groups were also held with members of the public, including representatives from minority groups, people who use disability services, and professionals working in health and social care.

The results showed that the public are ready to engage digitally to help manage their health, with 74% of the public saying that they would access their health record online, when available. Of the general public surveyed, 90% surveyed think that an online health record will help them manage their health between visits to a healthcare professional.

Importantly, the public want to use their online health record for practical tasks to manage their health. For example, 90% of the public said they want to use their online health record to renew prescriptions for regular medications and 89% said that they want to use their online health record to track progress of tests.

Professionals think digital care is important to empower patients as partners on their healthcare journey but are concerned that some members of the public may not be ready to interact with them digitally. Of the professionals surveyed, 88% said that an online health record will help people be better informed about their health.

Professionals highlighted areas that need to be addressed to support the provision of services and communicating digitally, with 54% of professionals surveyed sharing that the IT skills of people they treat and care for will be a challenge. 92% of professionals indicated they want clarity on who to contact for technical support, 83% want training in digital tools and 79% want protocols in place on providing services or information.

Rachel Flynn, HIQA’s Director of Health Information and Standards, and chair of the project steering group, said: “With the increased investment in digital health, it was important to engage with both the public and professionals, to help develop person-centred digital systems which can strengthen and support care delivery. The findings of this engagement are extremely valuable, providing evidence to inform the development and provision of digital health systems and services in Ireland.

“The results of the project demonstrate that people want to see education, training and supports rolled out with any online health system. People also want assurances regarding data security which reinforces the importance of upholding people’s rights regarding the collection, use and sharing of their information. IT skills and infrastructure were identified as potential challenges by both the public and professionals.”

“Although there is work that needs to be done, it is very positive to see that both members of the public and the professionals that care for them feel ready to incorporate a digital element into their care.”

The findings from this engagement will inform HIQA’s health information programme of work and practice, policy, legislation and decision-making in Department of Health and the HSE regarding development and provision of digital health systems and services in Ireland.

Read the full findings at www.hiqa.ie.