Health and Safety

Most consumers want the electronics that can help them monitor and care for their health at home because, they say, the devices will keep them out of health care facilities and save them on health care costs.

In the latest example of the move toward digitizing the American home, "Home Healthcare Electronics: Consumers are Ready, Willing and Able," by New York-based Accenture, a management consulting and technology services company, says 81 percent of consumers surveyed believe home electronic medical devices would help them avoid trips to the emergency room and stays in the hospital.

Electronic home health care devices currently available include a wearable non-invasive glucose monitor for diabetics, in-home hemodialysis (therapy for chronic kidney disease patients) units, and do-it-yourself screening tests for conditions ranging from high cholesterol to blood-borne infections.

The survey also found 71 percent of those surveyed said they believe that the devices would help them avoid visits to the doctor's office; 81 percent said they would use the devices to make sure a family member or friend is well; and 82 percent said they believe that the devices would help them save money.

Conducted by the Accenture Institute for Strategic Change and Accenture's Electronics & High Tech industry group, the online survey conducted last spring includes 4,313 results from randomly selected consumers in a demographic pool matching that of the general population.

Accenture says the survey sends a message to electronics manufacturers that consumers want electronics that allow them to save money, but also to take care of themselves and remain in their homes instead of being gurneyed off to health care facilities.

Other studies reveal most consumers want to retire to their existing homes and age in place, rather than at a nursing home or health care facility.

The Accenture study also identified four major trends:

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