First Future Health Index reveals siloed healthcare system impacting patient experience
Australia ranks fourth out of thirteen in Philips’ first Future Health Index, in part due to high perceptions of healthcare access, and strong interest in integrated health systems
June 16, 2016
Sydney, Australia – Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) has released its first commissioned Future Health Index (FHI), an extensive international study which explores how countries around the world are positioned to meet long-term global health challenges through integration of healthcare systems and connected care technologies by examining the perceptions, behaviours and attitudes of patients and healthcare professionals. Australian respondents highlighted perceived challenges in the Australian healthcare system in relation to information sharing and care in the home. The FHI, which surveyed about 200 healthcare professionals and 2,000 patients in Australia found that the majority (70%) of patients have had to repeat information regarding their health to multiple healthcare professionals and more than a third of patients (41%) face difficulty accessing their own medical records. In addition, just half (55%) of healthcare professionals agree that patients have access to the medical resources needed when taking care of sick family member(s) or themselves in their homes. When it comes to offering a solution, the vast majority of surveyed healthcare professionals (90%) and patients (77%) agree it is important that Australia’s health system be integrated. Kevin Barrow, Managing Director Philips Australia and New Zealand, said the findings from the FHI highlight the real opportunity in healthcare. “One of the key themes we see emerging in the sector is the needs of patients becoming increasingly linked with those of the clinician. Philips is uniquely positioned to combine insights from both a consumer and clinical perspective. Connected digital tools coupled with our clinical capabilities are driving increased collaboration and allow us to offer new ways of improving health management.” “The Future Health Index highlights perceived inefficiencies in Australia’s healthcare system and the impact these have on end users. However, the research also shows both patients and providers have indicated they are aligned on a vision of a more integrated healthcare system that realises the potential of connected care technologies. This underscores a real opportunity, for providers and for the government. Our shared goal is ultimately to improve the health of the Australian population, offer better and more tailored patient care when required and do so in a cost effective manner,” Mr Barrow said. The survey revealed that three-in-four patients (74%) would be comfortable sharing data collected by a connected care technology with a healthcare professional. Currently, 52% of patients are using connected care technology to measure their health, but just 32% say they have ever shared information from this technology with a healthcare professional. Australian healthcare professionals who have patients that have shared health information tracked on connected care technology have seen vast benefits: However, about half of surveyed healthcare professionals (54%) feel that connected care technologies will increase work for them by overloading them with data that they do not need, even though they are generally positive about connected care technology. Shehaan Fernando, Director Hospital to Home at Philips Australia and New Zealand, suggests the challenge is making sense of the abundance of data and enabling healthcare professionals to use it effectively. “It is understandable that healthcare practitioners have expressed uneasiness about its implications given the exponential growth in data with the introduction of connected care technologies. From our perspective it’s about ensuring the data is clinically valid and can be leveraged to provide meaningful insights when it is needed to assist healthcare practitioners in the delivery of care.” Mr Fernando said. From a homecare perspective, less than half (41%) of patients believe the public health system takes care of them when they need support in the home. Mr Fernando suggests the link between home care and coping with the costs of supporting an ageing population has never been more apparent. “As our population gets older, with more chronic and lifestyle related diseases, our healthcare systems already are and will continue struggling to increase access and quality of care while more effectively managing spiralling costs. In order to meet this need, new models of care enabled by connected technologies will become pivotal in supporting patients at home.” To read the Future Health Index report in its entirety please visit www.futurehealthindex.com and to access in-depth local market data, please contact Philips.
For further information, please contact:
Albertine Schor Brand and Communications Manager Philips Australia and New Zealand Tel: (+61) 427 915 643 Email: albertine.schor@philips.com
Future Health Index ranking
About the Future Health Index
Philips undertook original research to understand the perceptions towards connected care and the role it plays in the future of healthcare. The study, which will be run annually, included both quantitative surveys and qualitative in-depth interviews. These were conducted from February-April, 2016 in 13 countries. In partnership with an independent global market research firm, a survey was fielded from February 24, 2016 to April 8, 2016 in Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, Japan, The Netherlands, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, UAE, U.K. and U.S. in each country’s native language. A combination of online, face-to-face (computer-assisted) and phone (computer-assisted) interviewing was used to reach a total sample of: At the 95% confidence level, the margin of error +/- 2.2 percentage points for the Australian patient sample and estimated margin of error +/- 6.9 percentage points for the Australian healthcare professional sample. To provide context around the quantitative data in Australia, the survey was supplemented with 30-45 minute in-depth interviews with 20 healthcare professionals conducted from March 7-April 11, 2016. The Future Health Index (FHI) is calculated by combining the quantitative survey responses from patients and healthcare professionals equally on questions about access to the healthcare system, their country’s current state of health integration and adoption of connected care technology. The Index ranges from 0 to 100 points, and is the average of three sub-indices: access (across the health continuum); integration (of health system); and adoption (of connected care technology). Each of the three sub-indices range from 0 to 100 points, and each are weighted equally in the final FHI score. The three sub-indices scores are based on a series of question groupings (or components) that draw from a distinct theme in the questionnaire. For more information visit www.futurehealthindex.com or contact Philips.
About Royal Philips
Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people’s health and enabling better outcomes across the health continuum from healthy living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment and home care. Philips leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver integrated solutions. The company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, image-guided therapy, patient monitoring and health informatics, as well as in consumer health and home care. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips’ health technology portfolio generated 2015 sales of EUR 16.8 billion and employs approximately 69,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter.
