What you should know:
– With exemptions allowing home care for patients expiring this year, a new investigation by Vivalinkleader in digital health solutions, reveals growing public interest in Hospital at Home (HaH) programs.
– THE investigation surveyed more than 1,000 U.S. consumers ages 40 and older, highlighting a significant shift toward adopting remote healthcare options.
Overwhelming preference for home recovery
The survey results are clear: 84% of respondents expressed a willingness to participate in HaH follow-up to recover at home rather than remain hospitalized. This preference is consistent with the growing popularity of HaH programs, with more than 300 currently approved nationwide, allowing thousands of people to experience the comfort and familiarity of home recovery.
Trust in healthcare providers drives adoption
The survey also highlights the importance of trust in healthcare professionals. A significant 77% of respondents indicated that they would trust their doctor’s recommendation to use healthcare monitoring. This trust factor is crucial for wider adoption of healthcare programs as a viable alternative to traditional hospital stays.
Positive experiences fuel advocacy
Positive experiences from those who have already participated in HaH programs are another key driver of adoption. Of those surveyed who had previously participated in HaH programs, 84% reported a positive outcome. However, the survey also identified a potential barrier: ease of use of the devices. While nearly half (49%) of those with HaH experience found the remote patient monitoring (RPM) devices easy to use, concerns about the difficulty of using the devices were the main reason for hesitation among those who were not likely to participate (16%). This highlights the need for user-friendly technology to ensure greater accessibility.
Demographic variations: age, location and experience
The survey also revealed some interesting demographic variations in attitudes toward HaH programs:
- Age: Older respondents (over 70 years) were less familiar with HaH programs (42% awareness) and less likely to have participated (11%) compared to those in their 40s (77% awareness, 66% participation).
- Location: Urban residents had higher participation rates (71%) than those in rural areas (25%). However, rural residents were more open to fully remote primary care (36%) than their urban counterparts (19%).
- Frequency of hospitalization: Individuals with frequent hospitalizations (3 or more in the past year) expressed a stronger preference for HaH programs (95% willingness to participate) and a higher level of confidence in provider recommendations for HaH monitoring (95%) compared with those with less frequent hospitalizations (62% and 78%, respectively).
The Future of HaH Programs: Beyond Pandemic-Related Exemptions
The survey results come at a critical time. Waivers introduced by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in response to COVID-19, allowing hospital-level home care, are set to expire at the end of 2024. This underscores the need to permanently adopt flexible care models like HaH programs.
Strong consumer interest, positive user experiences, and trust in healthcare providers all point to a future where HaH programs will become a norm, rather than an exception, in the healthcare landscape.
“More consumers want to receive care in the comfort of their own homes. This shift, accelerated by the COVID pandemic, underscores the importance of providing flexible and convenient healthcare solutions that meet patients’ evolving needs,” said Jiang Li, CEO of Vivalink. “At Vivalink, we are committed to developing advanced digital healthcare solutions to improve access and efficiency in the healthcare system for all.”
