Market Report Source

Overview

Introduction
The Internet has permanently altered the patient-physician relationship because it has enabled patients to become increasingly knowledgeable and informed about their healthcare options. Thus, the Internet has decreased the divide between patients and physicians in terms of medical knowledge and has empowered patients to become more involved in the healthcare decision making process.

Scope
Investigation of the dynamics of the patient-physician relationship
Introduction to the way patients view the role of the Internet in their interaction with physicians
Assessment of the impact of mobile technologies on the patient-physician relationship and of the obstacles that prevent their adoption by consumers
Recommendations for online strategies to influence and facilitate patient’s interaction with their physician

Highlights
Pharmaceutical companies should focus on disease and treatment information on their consumer-facing websites and include printable information for patients to present and discuss with their doctors.

The general trend towards consumerism in healthcare creates more opportunities for investments in disease management and compliance tools.

High demand for disease management tools by consumers reflects the fact that patients want to take a more active role in their healthcare.

Reasons to Purchase
Understand the dynamics of the patient-physician relationship and the market trends driving its evolution
Identify key selected technologies that have an impact on the patient-physician relationship
Understand the importance of designing personable and engaging online disease management tools”

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABOUT DATAMONITOR

ACTION POINTS

Outline of the brief

Two key things you need to know about the changing patient-physician

relationship from the patient’s perspective

Datamonitor recommends that pharmaceutical companies focus on disease and

treatment information on their consumer-facing websites and include printable

information for patients to present and discuss with their doctors.

Datamonitor believes that the trend towards consumerism in healthcare creates

more opportunities for investments in disease management and compliance tools.

High demand for disease management tools by consumers reflects the fact that

patients want to take a more active role in their healthcare.

Overview

The patient-physician relationship is an evolving relationship, which has changed

dramatically in the last few years.

A changing environment impacts relationships among patients, physicians and

pharmaceutical companies and forces all players to be involved in creating health

networks that form strong healthcare brands.

Patients as consumers

Internet’s role on the patient-physician interaction

Most importantly, the Internet is driving consumers to change the way they interact

with their doctors.

Although word-of-mouth remains the most influential source of information for

patients, online sources are gaining traction across all major markets in the US,

Europe and Japan

Consumers want the Internet to play a role in how they interact with their doctor but

have yet to form strong preferences as to how

In all major markets, surveyed consumers would like to use the Internet to improve

their interactions with their physician

Technology: Online services

Apart from using online sources for health information, patients are also interested

in Internet-enabled services; yet many of them are not aware of these services

Consumers would like to use a range of technology-enabled services not only

during a physicians’ visit but also when interacting with their health plan

Technology: Disease management tools

Disease management tools and compliance tools are in high demand by patients in

Europe, US and Japan

Consumers want to access disease management tools not only through their

physician but also through their health plans

The preferred types of online disease management tools are asking a nurse or a

professional questions online or online health/risk assessment surveys

Text messages to mobile phones and email reminders are the channels most in

demand by consumers

Technology: Mobile technologies

Mobile phones with Internet connection are regularly used by consumers for

several health-related activities

Cost and concerns about security of information are the main obstacles the deter

consumers from using mobile solutions

THE FUTURE DECODED

Key findings

Datamonitor recommends that pharmaceutical companies focus on disease and

treatment information on their consumer-facing websites and include printable

information for patients to present and discuss with their doctors.

Datamonitor believes that the trend towards consumerism in healthcare creates

more opportunities for investments in disease management and compliance tools.

High demand for disease management tools by consumers reflects the fact that

patients want to take a more active role in their healthcare.

Datamonitor’s research shows that mobile technologies, such as

PDAs/handheld/blackberry devices, remain low in use by patients. Yet, adoption of

mobile phones with Internet connection is high and patients are interested in using

their Internet-enabled mobile phones as a disease management tool.

APPENDIX

List of figures

Research methodology

Datamonitor’s 2005 eHealth Consumer Insight Surveys

References

Future readings

SPP writing team 40