April 10th, 2023, Janice Fernandes
As the need for remote healthcare grew over the past few years so have the number of mHealth apps. With data from a recent YouGov Surveys: Serviced poll we look at the appetite of British consumers to use mHealth apps, which ones and why.
While more than three-quarters of Britons say they have never used an mHealth app (77%), consumers who have used at least one are most likely to pick the app developed by UK's National Health Service. Around two-thirds of Britons who have used an mHealth app opt for the NHS app (68%). Patient Access, through which one can book appointments with their GP, order repeat prescriptions, and access their medical records is the second most popular app (32%). Telemedicine apps like Babylon Health (8%), AXA Doctor at hand (6%), and Livi (5%) are all being used but by a relatively small percentage of respondents. Another 11% of respondents have used apps that are not listed like Apple Health and Airmid UK, among others.
The most popular motivation for Britons to use mHealth apps is convenience, with 47% of respondents stating that it is a reason for their usage. Easy access to healthcare professionals is the second most common motivation (30%), which is no surprise considering NHS patients face record waits. Personal interest is a factor for nearly a quarter (23%) of respondents, while 17% use it because they believe it will improve their health outcomes. Recommendation from a healthcare provider has also played a role in motivating 16% of Britons to use mHealth apps.
While convenience motivates Britons to use mHealth apps, it’s the reminder feature that they find most helpful (21%). Around three in 20 Britons find educational content helpful (15%), while one in eight think the personalised recommendations are beneficial (12%). Britons find social support/community features less helpful as it registers only 5% of respondents. Another 12% of respondents find other features, like being able to view test results as a perk for using these apps.
The survey also asked Britons whether they have ever discontinued using an mHealth app and, if so, what was the reason for doing so. Half of Britons who use mHealth apps say they’ve not stopped since they started (50%).
The respondents who have discontinued the use of an mHealth app, are most likely to say they don’t find it useful (15%). Cost is also an important reason why Britons have discontinued using an mHealth app (12%). Technical difficulties/glitches are more likely to cause users to discontinue using an app rather than security/privacy concerns (11% vs 8%).
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Methodology: YouGov Surveys: Serviced provides quick survey results from nationally representative or targeted audiences in multiple markets. This study was conducted online on March 22-23, 2023, with a nationally representative sample of 2,387 adults in Great Britain (aged 18+ years), using a questionnaire designed by YouGov. Data figures have been weighted by age, gender, education, region and race to be representative of all adults. Learn more about YouGov Surveys: Serviced.
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