Smart machines tend to elicit both awe and deep anxiety. This is especially true in health care, where people's hopes and fears tend to get magnified quickly. Consider three issues that get a lot of attention: the use of medical records, the “human touch” in medical care, and the future of jobs in the industry. On balance, are people more glass half-full or half-empty? Our research points to an optimism that may surprise expert observers.
When it comes to privacy of medical data, of course people don't want their records hacked by criminals. But consumers are ready to share their information when it's in their clear interests to do so, and when it's shared with the right people. More and more people are turning to wearable health devices, for example. According to a recent Accenture survey, 88% of consumers are willing to share the data from their “wearables” with either their doctor, a nurse, or other health care professionals. And 72% are fine with their health insurers having that information. (On the other hand, only 38% are willing to share that data with their employers.)
