Baby Boomers Trust Doctors to Recommend Mobile Apps
A recent poll by Mitchell Research reports that over 75% of baby boomers have downloaded at least one mHealth app for their smartphones, and almost half have downloaded six or more.
“Our national survey of 600 smartphone users shows a solid majority (57%) of Boomers are likely to download a general information medical app. Almost half (48%) would download an app to monitor heart disease, diabetes or other chronic diseases. Almost half (47%) would also download an app to monitor weight and exercise,” said Suzie Mitchell, CEO of Mitchell PR. The survey also reported that they would be most likely to trust a physician to recommend an app, even if the app wasn’t free.
This kind of heavy adoption by baby boomers points to both their interest and their need for health-related mobile apps. With rising health costs and growing health concerns, this generation’s need for health apps will only increase. These kinds of surveys will also help put to rest fears of baby boomer technophobia. Finally, it shows the need for developers to involve and educate front-line service providers and educate them about the technology available.
