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People are routinely monitoring their health with mobile phone apps, survey shows

As many as 55% of healthcare professionals believe that those who share health data are more motivated to stick to their treatments, according to a survey by technology company Philips. 

People are routinely monitoring their health through the use of mobile phone apps or other functions and are discussing the results with nurses and doctors, a survey has shown.

Two-thirds of healthcare professionals surveyed said that at least some of their patients share health data from their mobile phone or other portable device.

The survey also revealed that 55% of professionals believe those who share health data are more motivated to stick to their treatments.

It was carried out by technology company Philips and involved 2,000 members of the public in Britain and 400 healthcare workers.

More than three-quarters (76%) of respondents said that establishing good habits is key to preventing poor health in the future, but less than half (45%) said they actively manage their health. 

Four-fifths (80%) thought that despite the public focus on health, wellness and nutrition, Britain is becoming less healthy as a nation.

Philips Design Health vice-president Sean Hughes said: ‘The report shows that people know prevention is better than cure.

‘There is, however, a gap between patients and healthcare professionals, with just 195 of professionals believing that patients have the ability to manage their health effectively.  

'The report also found that two-thirds of those people not actively managing their health believe that they would benefit from doing so.’

Read the report here.