IT-assisted self-care in Malta : an assessment of the perceptions and aptitudes of patients and physicians in adopting IT based tools for health

Abstract

The unprecedented demographic change is leading to the unsustainability of the health care sector and the social security sector. An ageing population unfortunately contributes to a shrinking workforce which indirectly impinges on the health sector both from a financial aspect, since more citizens are increasingly resorting to more health care services as well as from the human workforce perspective. Various countries have been investing considerably in IT based solutions to counteract such problems and facilitate eHealth and mHealth solutions. The investment in IT based solutions for health care would undoubtedly increase health care accessibility and sustainability, supporting the increased mobility corresponding amenably to the contemporary demographic change. Being a small state where distances are limited, and culture varies from other countries where such studies have taken place, a study on the patients’ and physicians’ aptitudes and perceptions of self care and the use of technology based tools to assist patients in managing their health, has been carried out. The study focused on four major aspects, these being: patient health care tendencies; use of technology; perceptions related to the importance of record access and sharing between patients, physicians and among the physicians themselves; and patients and physicians attitudes related to record retention. The data collected was analysed separately for physicians and patients and then all perceptions were combined to achieve a better picture. The study yielded interesting findings, indicating that not only are patients ready to adopt self care practices but in actual fact a good percentage of those interviewed are already adopting this kind of practice, with some already maintaining personal health records of their illnesses. Optimistically, the number of patients gaining access and maintaining their health records may increase. Additionally the results revealed that over the years the digital divide did actually decrease, leading to a reduction of the technological obstacle that might hinder the adoption of IT based tools for health care, and particularly self-care. Perceptions and willingness to gain access to health records are positive both from the patients’ as well as from the physicians’ perspective. The majority of the physicians are as a matter of fact already keeping patient records albeit not all in electronic format. The likelihood that patients and physicians use electronic based tools to maintain health records also looks positive, since the majority of physicians and patients feel that electronic means are essential in assisting individuals who are extremely mobile. The use of electronic tools for remote consultations may thus be considered as a potential solution to counteract the ageing population factor coupled with citizens’ increased mobility and a shrinking physician class. Unquestionably, patients and physicians believe that electronic tools for patients to actively manage their health increases the chances for self care, consequently decreasing the direct dependence on physicians. It is however adamant that irrespective of the tools and services made available, patient records are consolidated in order to attain a complete patient health record. Taking into account the valuable feedback obtained through the research, it is clear that with the appropriate investment in modern technology, the uptake in IT based self care will potentially increase, indirectly helping to achieve sustainability of the health care sector. Health care sector sustainability however also requires further emphasis on the regulatory aspect and policy development to support both public and private initiatives of health record provisioning. Noticeably this is not a short term investment with immediate returns but rather an appropriate long term financial and human resource venture which requires substantial backing in order to reap the benefits through the use of IT for self care.