Diffusion of
Smart Devices
for Health in
Canada
| 2
Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
September 2017
Members of the research team
Guy Paré, Holder, Research Chair in Digital Health, HEC Montréal
Claire Bourget, Senior Manager of Marketing Research, CEFRIO
Collaborators
Miguel Aguirre, Research Professional, Research Chair in Digital Health, HEC Montréal
Josée Beaudoin, Vice-President, CEFRIO
Sabrina Boutin, Manager of Health Projects, CEFRIO
Katherine Vachon, Project Manager in Marketing Research, CEFRIO
Chad Leaver, Director, Applied Research, Canada Health Infoway
Cassie Frazer, Director – Consumer Health & Innovation, Canada Health Infoway
Publishing coordination team – CEFRIO
Guillaume Ducharme, Vice-President, Communications and Corporate Affairs
Annie Lavoie, Communications Consultant
Funding
Canada Health Infoway
Linguistic revision
Marie-Guy Maynard, Certified Translator, Traductions MGM
Credit lines
iStock – Shutterstock
For reference
Paré, G. et al. (2017). Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada, CEFRIO, Montreal,
Quebec, Canada, 55 pp.
© CEFRIO 2017. All rights reserved. The information contained in this document cannot be used or reproduced by a third
party without written authorization from CEFRIO.
Table of Contents Acknowledgements ............................................................................................... 4
Introduction ............................................................................................................ 5
Summary ................................................................................................................. 6
Research Objectives ............................................................................................... 7
Methodology and Profile of the Respondents ................................................... 8
Self-Tracking and Connected Health Technologies ......................................... 11
Use of mobile devices to monitor health ................................................................................... 12
Three distinct self-tracking profiles ............................................................................................ 14
Traditional trackers ................................................................................................................................................. 15
e-Trackers ................................................................................................................................................................... 17
Connected health and mobile applications ...................................................... 19
Who is using mobile apps? ........................................................................................................... 20
Motivations for using mobile apps ............................................................................................. 22
User experience .............................................................................................................................. 25
Data sharing .................................................................................................................................... 28
Users’ appreciation for their mobile health apps ..................................................................... 30
Perceived usefulness of mobile apps .............................................................................................................. 30
Ease of use of mobile apps ................................................................................................................................. 31
Confirmation of initial expectations ................................................................................................................ 32
User satisfaction ...................................................................................................................................................... 33
Intention to continue using mobile apps ...................................................................................................... 34
Smart Connected Devices/Wearables for Health and Well-being ................. 35
Familiarity with smart connected devices/wearables for health and well-being ................ 36
Who owns smart connected devices for health? ...................................................................... 38
Users’ appreciation of smart devices ......................................................................................... 42
Perceived usefulness of smart devices ........................................................................................................... 42
User-friendliness of smart devices ................................................................................................................... 44
Confirmation of initial expectations ................................................................................................................ 45
User satisfaction with smart devices ............................................................................................................... 45
Intention to continue using smart devices ................................................................................................... 46
Reasons for abandoning the use of smart connected devices related to health and well-being
........................................................................................................................................................................................ 47
The Future of Connected Health in Canada ...................................................... 49
Is there a future in Canada for consumer connected health technologies? ......................... 50
| 4 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
Acknowledgements
CEFRIO would like to thank Canada Health Infoway for its financial contribution to this project as
well as all the members of the research team and collaborators. A special word of thanks goes to
Professor Guy Paré, Holder of the Research Chair in Digital Health at HEC Montréal, who initiated
this project.
| 5 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
Introduction
The Internet of things, or Web 4.0, is considered the third wave of the Internet, following the social
Web (Web 2.0) and the semantic Web (Web 3.0). The Internet of things is a general term that refers
to smart devices used for a variety of purposes. A simple definition of a smart device would be a
device in the real world that is able to communicate. In 2015, there were 15 billion smart devices in
the world, and this number is expected to increase to 80 billion or 100 billion by 2020. Many of
these devices (smart bracelets, bathroom scales, toothbrushes, forks or pill dispensers) collect data
that are sent by the Internet to a data processing program to be analyzed for the benefit of the
user’s health and well-being. Most of these devices are intended to serve the Quantified Self (QS)
and self-tracking. The concept of self-tracking and self-quantifying are not new phenomenon. What
has changed, however, is the recent widespread use of smartphones and the emergence of
affordable sensing devices.
According to Emmanuel Gadenne (2011)1, QS is a movement that combines the tools, principles
and methods allowing each of us to know ourselves better and track data on our bodies, health,
general condition and the objectives we have set for ourselves. The main characteristic that sets
apart the QS from self-tracking is the transmission of user’s information or even comparing user’s
information with that of others. QS tools may be smart devices, mobile apps or Web applications.
For example, Apple’s Health Kit application, which is available on all its smartphones (the iPhone)
since 2014, can be used to analyze and process data collected by compatible smart devices. Of the
expected 80 billion to 100 billion smart devices in the world by 2020, approximately 26 billion will
be used to monitor aspects of personal health and well-being. According to Sebban (2015)2, smart
devices for health will purportedly make it possible for humans to live longer, live better and
continue to live at home. For this reason, it became important to survey Canadians on this subject.
This report presents the results of our national survey.
1 Emmanuel Gadenne (2011), The Quantified Self. 2 Eric Sebban (2015) Connected health: tomorrow, all doctors? A revolution with health professionals, for patients.
| 6 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
Summary
• The Diffusion of mobile health apps and smart connected devices in Canada study examines
Canadians’ use and intentions for using mobile apps and smart devices to monitor health
and well-being. It is the first national study of its kind in Canada, and the largest ever, world-
wide.
• The results of the study show an opportunity to advance the health of Canadians through
mobile apps and smart devices; and highlight important nuances to better understand key
market segments and opportunities.
• 32% of Canadian adults reported using one or more mobile apps to monitor aspects of
their health in the previous three months. Approximately one in four Canadian adults (24%)
currently owns at least one smart device for health and well-being.
• Canadians are tracking their health or well-being with mobile aps and smart connected
devices. Medical aspects of health, however, tend to be tracked by older Canadians using
traditional tools or methods (e.g., personal journal).
• Canadians currently using mobile apps or smart devices to track their health or well-being
are typically, younger adults (41%), employed (59%), university educated (55%) with an
annual family income of over $80,000 (46%); and generally healthy - only a small segment
(28%) of those who use mobile aps or smart connected devices reported living with a
specific chronic illness or condition or self-rate their health status as ‘fair/poor’.
• More specifically, Canadians with self-rated health status as ‘poor’ and/or those having one
or more chronic condition are less likely to track health and well-being using a smart
connected device.
• Results of this study can be used to set the national baseline for future studies in mobile
health apps and smart connected devices. The data are especially useful for developers and
health care organizations who are developing mHealth strategies to better understand the
current market and what practical next steps could be.
| 7 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
Research Objectives
This study set out to answer the following questions:
• What is the socio-demographic profile of self-tracking Canadian adults who use smart
health tools or traditional tools? What is the profile of Canadian adults who are not self-
tracking their health?
• To what extent are Canadian adults familiar with smart devices for health or well-being?
• What is the adoption rate of the currently available mobile apps and smart devices, and
which aspects of health require monitoring? What are the most popular smart devices for
health or well-being?
• What are the barriers to adopting mobile apps and smart devices for health and well-being?
• What are the perceived outcomes associated with using mobile apps and smart devices for
health and well-being?
• To what extent do Canadians share the data from mobile apps and smart devices for health
and well-being and, in particular, to what extent do they share the data with health
professionals?
• To what extent do they intend to keep using mobile apps and smart devices in the future?
• For what reasons do Canadian adults stop using mobile apps and smart devices for health
and well-being?
| 8 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
Methodology and Profile of the
Respondents
To answer the abovementioned research questions, we conducted a cross-sectional survey using a
representative sample of 4,109 Canadian adults. The content of the questionnaire was developed
based on a review of the scientific literature on the subject and pretested on 50 respondents.
The data was collected by AC Nielsen Company of Canada Inc., and the initial sample was formed
by the Web panel of its partner, Toluna. The data were collected from January 11 to February 2,
2017. The questionnaire took 12 minutes, on average, to complete.
To ensure a representative sample, the quota method was used (sex, age) following stratification
by region. The maximum margin of error associated with our sample size is estimated at 1.6%,
19 times out of 20. The results were weighted based on the following variables: province, age and
gender (male, female).
Table 1. Profile of the sample based on the initial stratification
Region: QC ON MA SK AB BC NB NS PE NF
Total Gender x age
Men 18-34 years 132 221 21 18 70 74 12 15 2 8 573
Women 18-34 years 133 216 21 19 72 74 11 14 2 8 570
Men 35-54 years 178 305 26 21 83 104 18 22 3 13 773
Women 35-54 years 177 289 26 21 84 98 17 20 3 12 747
Men 55 years and older 196 292 27 23 66 106 20 24 4 13 771
Women 55 years and older 168 252 23 20 61 96 17 21 3 12 673
TOTAL 986 1,575 143 123 437 552 95 116 17 65 4,109
Table 2 presents a profile of the sample according to the usual socio-demographic variables, in
comparison with the total Canadian population.
Note on how to read the tables and figures in this report:
• Figures in red indicate results that are significantly higher than the total, in a confidence interval of at
least 95%.
• Figures in blue indicate results that are significantly lower than the total, in a confidence interval of at
least 95%.
| 9 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
Table 2. Profile of the sample in comparison with the target population
Sample
(n=4109)
Canadian
Population*
n % %
Gender
(StatCan 2016)
Male 2118 51% 51%
Female 1991 49% 49%
Age
(StatCan 2016)
18-34 1144 28% 26%**
35-54 1520 37% 35%
55+ 1445 35% 39%
Region
(StatCan 2016)
Atlantic provinces 293 7% 7%
Quebec 986 24% 23%
Ontario 1575 38% 39%
Manitoba and
Saskatchewan
266 7% 7%
Alberta 437 11% 12%
B.C. and N.W.T. 552 13% 13%
Gross family income
in 2016
(StatCan 2014)
<$20k 268 7% 5%
>=$20k and <$40k 583 14% 12%
>=$40k and <$60k 614 15% 15%
>=$60k and <$80k 561 14% 14%
>=$80k and <$100k 498 12% 13%
>=$100k and <$200k 815 20% 32%
>=$200k 149 4% 9%
Level of education
(StatCan 2011)
High school or college 2051 51% 69%
Undergraduate 1300 32% 25%
Graduate 660 17% 6%
Occupation
(StatCan 2015)
Workers 2386 59% 61%
Students 151 4% 7%
Retirees 937 23% 17%
Other 580 14% 15%
Perceived health
(Health Canada 2014)
Poor or Fair 402 10% 12%
Good 2070 50% 29%
Very good or excellent 1638 40% 59%
Chronic disease(s)
(Health Canada 2014)
Yes 1281 32% 38%
No 2735 68% 62%
Language used to
complete the
questionnaire
English 3644 89%
French 465 11%
* The source is indicated under the name of each variable.
** 20-34 years.
| 10 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
| 11 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
Self-Tracking and Connected Health Technologies
| 12 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
Use of mobile devices to monitor health
The use of a mobile device with Internet access is the basic condition for connected health
monitoring, whether you are interested in tracking your weight, eating habits, sleep quality, mood,
physical activity, blood pressure or blood sugar level.
According to our survey data, in 2017, 78% of Canadian adults owned a smartphone (e.g. Apple
iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Nexus, Microsoft Lumia or Sony Xperia) and used it to download
mobile apps, among other things.3 According to the Pew Research Center,4 in the U.S. this rate was
77% in 2016. Our results also indicate that 57% of Canadian adults own a tablet computer (e.g.
Apple iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab, Google Nexus Tablet or Sony Xperia Tablet) that allows them to
download mobile apps. The Pew Research Center has also reported that in 2016, 51% of Americans
18 years of age or older owned a tablet.5
These results are comparable with those reported by the CRTC, which found that in 2016, 73% of
Canadian adults owned a smartphone and 52% of Canadian adults owned a tablet.6 Based on our
overall findings, 86% of all our respondents own at least one of these digital devices.
In 2017, 86% of Canadian adults own a smartphone or a tablet that they use on a daily basis
to read the news, go on Facebook, check the weather forecast, listen to the radio, etc.
As shown in Figure 1, young adults aged 18 to 34 years use mobile devices at a higher rate (97%,
compared to 90% among 35 to 54 year-olds and 74% among people 55 or older). Furthermore,
Alberta has the highest rate of mobile device users: 92%.
3 A mobile application or “app” is a program, free or not, that can be downloaded to a smartphone or tablet to execute specific functions. 4 See http://www.pewinternet.org/fact-sheet/mobile/ 5 See http://www.pewresearch.org/data-trend/media-and-technology/device-ownership/ 6 See http://www.crtc.gc.ca/fra/publications/reports/PolicyMonitoring/2015/cmr5.htm
| 13 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
Whether to read the news, go on Facebook, check the weather forecast or listen to the radio, the
Canadian adults we surveyed consult the Internet daily on a smartphone or a tablet. Our findings
indicate that 53% do this several times per day.
86%
86%
86%
97%
90%
74%
83%
84%
87%
84%
92%
88%
71%
79%
85%
87%
91%
94%
94%
82%
90%
91%
93%
95%
71%
84%
Total
Male
Female
18-34
35-54
55+
ATL
QC
ON
MB/SK
ALB
CB
Less than 20k$
20-40k$
40-60k$
60-80k$
80-100k$
100-200k$
200k$ or more
Secondary or college
Undergraduate university
Graduate university
Workers
Students
Retired
Other
Gen
der
Ag
eR
eg
ion
Fam
ily In
com
e (
2016)
Level o
f
ed
uca
tio
nO
ccu
pati
on
Figure 1. Profile of the respondents who own a smart phone
and/or tablet
Base: All respondents (n=4 109)
| 14 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
Three distinct self-tracking profiles
A majority of Canadian adults (66%) regularly track one or more aspects of their health or well-
being, such as their weight, blood sugar, blood pressure, level of physical activity, physical workout
performance or sleep quality. We call this “self-tracking behaviour.”
Our survey found three distinct categories of self-tracking behaviour among Canadian adults:
In this report, the term “non trackers” refers to adults who do not regularly monitor one or more
aspects of their personal health or well-being. This group comprises as many men (50%) as women
(50%). They are found in all the age groups (23% are 18 to 34 years old, 39% are 35 to 54 years and
39% are 55 years or older). They have slightly less education (39% have a university degree) and
slightly less annual income (56% reported an income of less than $80,000). Less than half of this
group (45%) is unemployed. In terms of Internet use, only 77% use the Internet daily, and among
this group, only 24% reported a specific illness or chronic condition.
“Not interested” was by far the most common reason given by these adults for not tracking any
aspect of their health or well-being.
34%
26%
40%
Non trackers
Traditional trackers
e-trackers
Figure 2. Three categories of self-tracking behavior
for Canadian adults
Base: All respondents (n=4 109)
| 15 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
Traditional trackers
By “traditional trackers” we mean adults who regularly monitor one or more aspects of their health
or well-being using means other than a mobile app or smart device. This may be by simply
recording the information in writing (on paper, or in a journal or notebook) or by remembering the
information. Like the “non-trackers” group, this group counts as many men (50%) as women (50%).
They are more likely to have a specific illness or chronic condition (46%), and most of them are
older (53% are 55 years old or older). These adults reported slightly less education (48% have a
university degree) and a somewhat lower family income (54% had an income below $80,000). Some
53% of them are unemployed, and 77% of them use the Internet daily.
24%
24%
24%
21%
19%
12%
11%
10%
1%
19%
The information given by their physician
regarding their health is sufficient
Not interested
Not interested because of their good or
excellent health condition
Have other priorities at this time in life
Not disciplined enough for this kind of activity
Would not know what to do with the
information collected
Would not know what information to collect or
how to collect it
Do not have the time to be taking such
measures themselves
The information given by their personal trainer
on their physical condition is sufficient
No specific reason
Figure 3. Reasons mentioned by Canadian adults
for not monitoring aspects of their health or well-being on a regular basis
Base: Respondents who do not measure any aspect of their health (n=1 389)
| 16 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
In Figure 4, we compare traditional trackers to e-trackers - respondents who track aspects of their
health or well-being using a mobile app and/or a smart connected device. Weight-related
information is the main aspect of health or well-being regularly monitored by Canadian traditional
trackers, accounting for 56 % of this group. The other aspects of health that they track more
systematically are regular physical activity, nutrition and eating habits, dental health, use of
medication and sleep.
42%
37%
56%
30%
6%
29%
7%
32%
24%
37%
64%
41%
36%
36%
19%
16%
13%
9%
6%
4%
Regular physical activity
Nutrition and eating habits
Weight-related information
Sleep
Competition and performance in
sports
Cardiovascular, lung or respiratory
airway health
Sexual and reproductive health
Use of medication
Diabetes and other metabolism-
related conditions
Dental health
Figure 4. Aspects of health or well-being that are regularly
monitored by traditional or e-trackers
Traditional trackers (n= 1 051)
e-trackers (n=1 669)
Base: Traditional trackers (n=1 051) or e-trackers(n=1 669)
| 17 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
In general, most Canadian adults who regularly track one or more aspects of their health or well-
being using traditional means do so by simply recording the information in writing (on paper or in
a journal or notebook) or just remembering the information. Figure 5 presents detailed results on
how traditional trackers keep track of health or well-being information.
e-Trackers
The term “e-trackers” refers to adults who regularly track one or more aspects of their health or well-
being using a mobile app or smart device to monitor certain health or well-being issues. As in the two
other groups, this group counts as many men (50%) as women (50%). However, most of them are
younger adults (41% aged 18 to 34 years, and 38% aged 35 to 54 years). They are active members of
the workforce (59% are employed) and more highly educated (55% with a university degree), reporting
an annual family income of over $80,000 (46%). Most e-trackers use the Internet on a daily basis (94%).
A total of 28% of these adults reported a specific chronic illness or condition. Table 3 presents the profile
of adult Canadians who belong to each of the three abovementioned groups.
46%
31%
10%
8%
4%
They simply keep track of their data in
their head
They write their data down on paper, in
a personal journal or in a notebook
They enter and save their data in a
program on their computer, tablet or
smartphone (e.g. an Excel spreadsheet
or a table in Word or in an app)
They use some other means
They access the internet or a website to
enter and save their data on a patient
portal or other site (e.g. a personal
patient record)
Figure 5. Methods used for keeping track of the data regarding
health or well-being collected by traditional means
Base: Respondents who monitor aspects of their health or well-being on a regular basis , using
traditional means (n=1 051)
| 18 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
Table 3. Socio-demographic profiles of adult Canadians according to their self-
tracking profile
e-trackers Traditional
trackers
Non trackers
χ2 test*
n = 1 669
(40%)
n = 1 051
(26%)
n = 1 389
(34%)
Gender Male 39% 27% 34% No
p=.112 Female 40% 24% 36%
Age 18-34 60% 13% 27% Yes
p<.001 35-54 42% 23% 35%
55+ 24% 39% 37%
Region Atlantic provinces 37% 27% 36%
Yes
p<.05
Quebec 37% 26% 37%
Ontario 41% 26% 33%
Manitoba and Sask. 40% 24% 35%
Alberta 48% 24% 28%
British Columbia 42% 25% 33%
Gross family
income in 2016
<$20k 29% 32% 39%
Yes
p<.001
>=$20k and <$40k 33% 27% 40%
>=$40k and <$60k 33% 28% 39%
>=$60k and <$80k 39% 28% 33%
>=$80k and <$100k 49% 22% 29%
>=$100k and <$200k 53% 24% 23%
>=$200k 55% 17% 28%
Level of
education
High school or college 35% 26% 39% Yes
p<.001 Undergraduate 47% 25% 29%
Graduate 48% 26% 26%
Occupation Workers 49% 19% 32%
Yes
p<.001 Students 50% 15% 35%
Retirees 22% 41% 37%
Other 35% 27% 38%
Perceived
health
Poor or Fair 39% 32% 29%
Yes
p<.05 Good 40% 26% 34%
Very good or excellent 41% 25% 34%
Chronic
disease(s)
Yes 36% 38% 26% Yes
p<.001 No 43% 20% 37%
* This test measures whether or not there is a statistically significant difference between subgroups on a given
variable.
| 19 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
Connected health and mobile applications
| 20 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
Who is using mobile apps?
In the Canadian adult population, the younger you are, the more likely you are to be using mobile
apps to monitor certain aspects of health or well-being (Figure 6). When all age groups are
combined, 32% of Canadian adults reported using one or more mobile apps to monitor aspects of
their health in the previous three months. Among Canadian adults under 35 years of age, one out
of every two people (51% of respondents) used a mobile app to monitor aspects of their health or
well-being in the previous three months.
32% of Canadian adults, or 38% of those who own a smartphone or tablet, used one or more
mobile apps to monitor aspects of their health or well-being in the previous three months.
Breaking down the results by region, Alberta has the highest rate of adults using mobile apps to
monitor aspects of their health and well-being: 40%, compared to 32 % for Canada as a whole. In
the U.S., a study conducted in 2016 by Accenture7 found that 33 % of American adults use such
applications. Another study by Salesforce8 also conducted in the U.S. in 2016, estimated this rate at
42 %. Canadians therefore use mobile apps to monitor aspects of their health or well-being at a
rate similar to that in the U.S
7 Source: Patients want a heavy dose of digital, Accenture Digital, 2016. 8 Source: Connected Patient Report: insights into patient preferences on telemedicine, wearables and post-discharge care, Salesforce Research, 2017.
| 21 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
32%
51%
33%
23%
11%
33%
32%
26%
30%
33%
33%
40%
33%
26%
28%
30%
39%
43%
Total
Under 35
35-54
55-64
65 or more
Female
Male
ATL
QC
ON
MB/SK
ALB
CB
Less than 40 k$
40-59 k$
60-79 k$
80-99 k$
100 k$ more
Ag
eG
en
der
Reg
ion
Fam
ily In
com
e
Figure 6. Canadian adults who have used at least one mobile app
to monitor aspects of their health or well-being in the last 3
months
Base: All respondents (n=4 109)
| 22 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
Motivations for using mobile apps
The use of mobile health apps is mainly the result of motivations tied to well-being rather than any
motivations directly related to health problems. There is no difference in the self-reported health
status of users of mobile health apps, 90 % of respondents using mobile health apps believe that
they are in good, very good or excellent health.
Canadian adults use mobile health apps mainly to know more about their condition and monitor
changes in parameters that they consider important to their health and well-being. This applies
specifically to 58 % of the adults we surveyed who had downloaded and used one or more mobile
apps to monitor aspects of their health and well-being over the previous three months. Another of
the most common motivations was for the day-to-day encouragement that these devices provide
as people strive to meet their health objectives (53 % of the mobile app users surveyed) as well as
to monitor progress in their athletic training (42 % of mobile app users).
Figure 7 provides detailed information on the importance that Canadian adults ascribe to various
sources of motivation for using mobile health apps.
| 23 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
54%
40%
38%
37%
37%
34%
24%
19%
7%
5%
8%
10%
14%
12%
14%
11%
12%
12%
9%
7%
17%
24%
24%
24%
26%
24%
30%
28%
31%
30%
12%
16%
15%
17%
15%
21%
23%
27%
32%
36%
9%
10%
9%
10%
8%
10%
11%
15%
21%
22%
Getting help to take their medication on
time, as prescribed
Monitor one or more issues related to
one or more chronic illnesses
Improve communication with their
physician or another health professional
Better follow the treatment plan
prescribed by my physician or another
health professional
Reduce the number of times they need
to see their doctor
Maintain or improve their autonomy at
home
Break a bad habit related to their health
Monitor progress made their athletic
training
Getting daily encouragement toward
reaching personal health goals
Know themselves better and monitor
changes that they consider important
for their health
Figure 7. Sources of motivation to use mobile apps to monitor
health or well-being
Not at all Mildly Somewhat Rather strongly Very strongly
Base: Respondents who have downloaded at least one health-related mobile app and used it
in the last 3 months (n=1 335)
| 24 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
Our survey also found that certain adults who had mobile apps on their smartphones or tablets for
monitoring certain aspects of their health simply did not use them or stopped using them in the previous
three months. This was the case for 11 % of the adults with these mobile apps. A significant portion
of this group (47 %) said that after a certain amount of time they had just lost interest in this type
of application. Figure 8 presents detailed information on the reasons why respondents did not use
(or abandoned the use of) mobile apps related to monitoring their health or well-being.
47%
21%
18%
13%
11%
11%
10%
10%
6%
5%
5%
2%
18%
After a while, they just lost interest in this type of app
Entering data (e.g. on weight, distance covered, blood
sugar level) in an app is too time-consuming
At one point they found that they weren't learning
anything new
Had doubts about the reliability of the information
generated by the app
Didn't like the idea of sharing their personal
information with other people
Worried that their data would be transmitted without
my permission/consent
Worried that unauthorized third parties would make
inappropriate use of their personal data
The app was too complicated to use
They weren't able to reach their personal goals
The app that they were using just stopped working
well
There were hidden costs associated with using the app
Worried that using these apps could become an
obsession
No specific reason
Figure 8. Reasons explaining the non-use of mobile apps
to monitor health or well-being
Base: Respondents who have downloaded at least one health-related mobile app but who have not
used it in the last 3 months (n=162)
| 25 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
User experience The use of mobile health apps is a relatively recent phenomenon in Canada, but we should expect
that this use will spread quickly. This is evident in our results, as 62 % of the Canadian adults we
surveyed have been using their application(s) for less than one year.
With regard to the number of mobile apps used by Canadian adults, most respondents, 74 % use
only one or two mobile apps to monitor their health or well-being.
20%
21%
21%
22%
13%
Less than 3 months
Between 3 and 6 months
Between 6 and 12 months
Between 1 and 2 years
Between 2 and 5 years
Figure 9. Experience using mobile apps
to monitor health or well-being
Base: Respondents who have downloaded at least one health-related mobile app and used it
in the previous 3 months (n=1 335)
42%
32%
14%
10%
1 mobile app
2 mobile apps
3 mobile apps
4 mobile apps or more
Figure 10. Number of health or well-being mobile apps
used by respondents in the previous 3 months
Base: Respondents who have downloaded at least one health-related mobile app and used it
in the previous 3 months (n=1 335)
| 26 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
Now let us look at aspects of health or well-being that are monitored and tracked using mobile
apps. Our results clearly underscore aspects of well-being (rather than illness). Among the
respondents who regularly use mobile apps:
• 64 % monitor their physical activity
• 41 % monitor their nutrition and eating habits
• 36 % monitor their weight
• 36 % monitor their sleep
• 19 % monitor their sports performance
As presented below in Table 4, we compare results from our survey of Canadians to two recent
studies. According to the Accenture survey mentioned earlier, U.S. adults are interested in e-
tracking certain aspects of their physical activity and eating habits for essentially the same reasons
as Canadians. Much like in our sample of Canadian adults, few U.S. adults use mobile apps to
monitor certain aspects of their health, such as their use of medication (only 12% of U.S. adults
compared to 9% of Canadian adults). Surprisingly, another survey conducted in Germany in 2015,
found that 44% of German adults aged 35 years or older use connected mobile apps to e-track
their use of tobacco.
| 27 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
Table 4. Certain aspects of health and well-being that are tracked using mobile apps (n=1 335)
Rank Aspect
Canadian
Adults
CEFRIO
(2017)
U.S. Adults
Accenture
(2016)79
German
Adults
Pfizer
Deutschland
GmbH (2015)10
1 Regular physical activity
Training guides/routines; advice on active living; history of physical activity; calculations of distance
covered or calories burned
64% 59% 17%
2 Nutrition and eating habits
Guides/programs/tools for balanced nutrition; meal calorie calculator
41% 52% 39%
3 Weight-related information Monitoring weight or waistline; calculator of body
mass index
36%
4 Sleep Monitoring sleep quality and/or hours slept;
advice/tools for better sleep – music, alarms, etc.; monitoring sleep conditions, such as snoring or sleep
apnea
36%
5 Competition and performance in sports
Training guides, as a record of sports performance; calculations of distance covered or calories burned
19%
6 Cardiovascular, lung or respiratory airway health Tools/advice for monitoring blood pressure, heart
rate, pulse, asthma, oxygen levels
16% 10%
7 Mental and emotional health Monitoring mood/emotional state; stress
management; guides/tools for meditation/relaxation or motivation; monitoring/guides/tools for memory,
attention, cognitive skills
14%
8 Sexual and reproductive health
Women: menstrual cycle; guides/advice on monitoring a pregnancy or the postnatal period
Men: guides/advice for sexual health
13%
9 Use of medication
Monitoring medication use; identifying side effects or contraindications
9% 12% 9%
10 Diabetes and other metabolism-related conditions
Sugar, cholesterol 6% 3%
11 Tobacco dependence 5% 44%
12 Dental health 4%
13 Alcohol and drugs 3%
Note: Our survey included new measures and administered measures from the Accenture and Pfizer Deutschland
GmbH studies. Comparable data are shown where the same question was administered.
9 Source: Patients want a heavy dose of digital, Accenture Digital, 2016. 10 Source: Using health apps to manage and change behaviors, Pfizer Deutschland GmbH, 2015.
| 28 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
Data sharing
At this time, there are still relatively few users who regularly share the data captured by and stored
in mobile apps they currently use to monitor certain aspects of their health and well-being. In fact,
only 35% of the Canadian adults we surveyed who use mobile apps reported that they share their
data (Figure 11). However, as shown in Figure 12, when they do share health data, it is primarily
with family members and friends. Canadian adults are also in the habit of sharing their data with
health professionals such as their doctor (34% of respondents), a nutritionist (10%), a pharmacist
(9%), a personal trainer (9%), a nurse where they access care (7%) or a therapist (4%).
35%
65%
Yes
No
Figure 11. Sharing of the data recorded on mobile apps
with other people
Base: Respondents who have downloaded at least one health-related mobile app and used it
in the previous 3 months (n=1 335)
| 29 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
61%
50%
34%
20%
12%
10%
9%
9%
7%
4%
Family members (e.g. spouse, brother/sister,
child)
Friends
Their doctor
Other users of the same mobile app
Individuals or groups on social media
Their nutritionist
Their pharmacist
Their personal trainer (coach)
A nurse where they access care
Their therapist
Figure 12. Sharing of the data recorded on mobile apps
with other people
Base: Respondents who share the data recorded on their health-related mobile apps with other people (n=466)
| 30 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
Users’ appreciation for their mobile health apps
Perceived usefulness of mobile apps
Mobile health apps are considered useful (Figure 13). In our survey, 61% of the users of such apps
reported that, overall, they have proven very useful in their lives. For 58% of respondents, the mobile
apps they use help them better understand their health status. In terms of impact, 54% of Canadians
using mobile health apps say that their health status has improved due to their use of these apps.
Our results also indicate that, due to their use of mobile apps, 42% of respondents have more
informed discussions with their doctors. As we have seen above, people are not yet in the habit of
sharing the health data from their mobile apps with their doctors: only one user out of nine is
currently doing this.
Respondents who downloaded at least one health-related mobile app and used it
in the previous 3 months (n=1 335)
58%
51%
54%
61%
52%
34%
42%
48%
30%
36%
34%
29%
34%
44%
38%
38%
12%
12%
12%
10%
14%
22%
21%
14%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
Thanks to their health app(s), they have learned to bebetter informed about their health
Their use of app(s) allows them to be moreautonomous in the management of their health
They have maintained or improved their health statusby using health app(s)
Overall, health apps have proved very useful in theirlives
Their knowledge of their health has improved becauseof their use of health app(s)
Because of their use of health apps, they feel lessanxious about their health
Because of their use of health app(s), they feel theycan have more informed discussions with their doctor
They feel more confident taking care of their healthsince they use health app(s)
Figure 13. Perceived usefulness of mobile health apps
Somewhat or strongly disagree Neutral Somewhat or strongly agree
| 31 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
Ease of use of mobile apps
A majority of users find that their mobile applications for health and well-being are easy to use. In
general, 76% of respondents reported that they strongly agreed or somewhat agreed with the
statement that they find their mobile apps easy to use.
Base: Respondents who downloaded at least one health-related mobile app and used it
in the previous 3 months (n=1 335)
74%
74%
76%
76%
19%
18%
17%
17%
7%
8%
7%
7%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%
Learning how to use their apps was easy
They find their apps user-friendly
The information provided by their apps is easy to
understand and interpret
In general, they find it easy to use their apps
Figure 14. The user-friendliness of mobile health apps
Somewhat or strongly disagree Neutral Somewhat or strongly agree
| 32 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
Confirmation of initial expectations
As for initial expectations related to personal use of mobile apps to monitor health and well-being,
59 % of respondents reported that their personal expectations on how they would use mobile apps
had been confirmed. Given that 41 % of respondents were neutral to or disagreed with this
statement, we believe that there is room for improvement and industry should further study the
expectations of current and future users.
Base: Respondents who downloaded at least one health-related mobile app and used it
in the previous 3 months (n=1 335)
58%
56%
59%
33%
32%
33%
9%
12%
8%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
Using their apps turned out to be easier than they
first thought
There were more benefits to using their apps than
they first thought
Their expectations concerning how they would use
their apps have been confirmed so far
Figure 15. Confirmation of initial expectations
Somewhat or strongly disagree Neutral Somewhat or strongly agree
| 33 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
User satisfaction
As indicated in Figure 16, slightly more than 70% of the users surveyed said that they were satisfied
with their use of health-related mobile apps.
Base: Respondents who downloaded at least one health-related mobile app and used it
in the previous 3 months (n=1 335)
72%
71%
58%
20%
21%
33%
8%
7%
10%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%
They are satisfied with their use of apps
They are pleased with their use of apps
They are delighted with their use of apps
Figure 16. Satisfaction with the use of mobile apps
Somewhat or strongly disagree Neutral Somewhat or strongly agree
| 34 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
Intention to continue using mobile apps
The satisfaction of users is apparent with their intentions to continue using mobile health apps. A
total of 72% of the users surveyed reported having every intention of continuing to use them.
Base: Respondents who downloaded at least one health-related mobile app and used it
in the previous 3 months (n=1 335)
72%
69%
73%
20%
22%
20%
7%
8%
7%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%
They have every intention to continue using
health apps in the future
They do not intend to stop using health apps in
the future
They will continue to use health apps to measure
different aspects of their health and well-being
Figure 17. Intention to continue using mobile apps
Somewhat or strongly disagree Neutral Somewhat or strongly agree
| 35 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
Smart Connected Devices/Wearables for Health and Well-being
| 36 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
Familiarity with smart connected
devices/wearables for health and well-being
What is a smart connected device for health?
A smart connected device/wearable for health is an electronic device or clothing article that
automatically captures data on certain aspects of one’s health or well-being, such as pulse, weight,
performance in sports, sleep quality, body temperature or blood pressure, and then transfers these
data to a mobile app on a smartphone or tablet, or to an application on a computer, for analysis.
In Canada at the time of our survey, 74% of adults (or 86% of adults with a smartphone or tablet)
had already heard of smart connected devices for tracking certain aspects of health or well-being
(Figure 18). However, the level of familiarity remains relatively low, since only 16% of respondents
who had already heard of them reported being “very” or “extremely” familiar with them.
It is in Quebec where we found the smallest proportion (65%) of adults who had already heard of
smart connected devices for health or well-being (Figure 19). It is possible that language is the
cause, since most smart connected devices currently available are marketed by companies from
74%
12%
14%
Yes
No
Do not own smart devices
Figure 18. Familiarity of smart connected devices/wearables
for tracking health and well-being
Base: All respondents (n=4 109)
| 37 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
outside Quebec, so the documentation that is available on the Internet is often first published in
English or initially available in English only - depending on initial and long-term marketing
strategies for the Canadian market.
We also found that familiarity with smart connected devices for health and well-being varies
depending on age and income. Younger respondents and respondents with higher revenues were
more likely to be familiar with these products.
74%
82%
79%
68%
56%
74%
75%
75%
65%
76%
74%
84%
77%
62%
69%
74%
81%
86%
Total
Under 35
35-54
55-64
65 or more
Female
Male
ATL
QC
ON
MB/SK
ALB
CB
Less than 40 k$
40-59 k$
60-79 k$
80-99 k$
100 k$ more
Ag
eG
en
der
Reg
ion
Fam
ily In
com
e
Figure 19. Proportion of Canadians that heard of smart
devices/wearables for health and well-being
Base: All respondents (n=4 109)
| 38 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
Who owns smart connected devices for health?
Currently, approximately one in four Canadian adults (24 %) owns at least one smart connected
device for health and well-being (Figure 20). According to the Accenture survey11 of U.S. adults in
2016, 21 % of adult Americans owned one. The Salesforce survey12 found this rate to be 27 %.
24% of Canadian adults, or 29 % of those who own a smartphone or a tablet, own at least
one smart connected device that captures data for their health or well-being.
11 Source : The Accenture survey (2016) 12 Source : The Salesforce survey
14%
6%
4%
62%
14%
Yes, and they use them
Yes, but they have stopped using them
Yes, but they have never used them
No
Do not own a smartphone/tablet
Figure 20. Possession of smart connected devices/wearables for
health
Base: All respondents (n=4 109)
| 39 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
Of those who possess smart connected devices for health and well-being, 70% have only one, 21%
have two and only 9% have three or more. On average, Canadian adults currently own and use 1.5
smart connected devices for health and well-being.
Since these products are relatively new on the market, a majority of Canadian adults (84%) have
been using them for less than two years, as shown in Figure 22 below.
70%
21%
9%
1 smart device
2 smart devices
3 smart devices or more
Figure 21. Number of smart connected devices/weaerables
used (average 1.5)
Base: Respondents who own and use a smart connected device for health and well-being (n=580)
18%
16%
20%
30%
15%
1%
Less than 3 months
Between 3 and 6 months
Between 6 and 12 months
Between 1 and 2 years
Between 2 and 5 years
Don't really remember
Figure 22. Duration of use of smart connected
devices/wearables
Base: Respondents who own and use a smart connected device for health and well being (n=580)
| 40 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
To date, the most popular smart device is by far the bracelet or watch, which is owned by 88% of
respondents with at least one smart device for health or well-being. Over time, the types of smart
connected devices and the value they provide to users and other determinants of market presence
and dominance will become more apparent.
88%
21%
13%
8%
7%
6%
5%
4%
4%
3%
2%
2%
Bracelet, wristband, or watch
Bathroom scale
Pedometer (steps walked or run)
Blood pressure monitor
Toothbrush
Pulse oximeter or spirometer
(respiratory functions)
Thermometer
Glucose monitor
Intelligent clothing (e.g. pants, shirt, t-
shirt, socks, hat, belt, shoe soles)
Spirometer (respiratory functions)
Intelligent pill dispenser
Fork (eating speed, calories consumed)
Figure 23. Types of smart devices used for health and well-being
Base: Respondents who own and use a smart device for health (n=580)
| 41 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
Without question, it is the wealthiest adults who are current users of smart devices for health and
well-being, since the utilization rate among adults with annual family incomes of $100,000 or more
is 22% compared to a rate of 7% among adults with incomes of less than $40,000 (Figure 24).
Younger adults are also the most active users of smart devices. For example, the utilization rate
among adults aged 18 to 34 years is 18%.
We also found that the utilization rate is higher among adults in Alberta (18%) and Ontario (15%)
compared to Quebec (11%). In addition, and just as we found with connected mobile health apps,
Quebec had the lowest utilization rate of smart devices for health in all of Canada.
14%
18%
15%
12%
7%
14%
14%
12%
11%
15%
13%
18%
15%
7%
9%
13%
19%
22%
Total
Under 35
35-54
55-64
65 or more
Female
Male
ATL
QC
ON
MB/SK
ALB
CB
Less than 40 k$
40-59 k$
60-79 k$
80-99 k$
100 k$ more
Ag
eG
en
der
Reg
ion
Fam
ily In
com
e
Figure 24. Adults who use one or more smart connected device(s)
related to health and well-being
Base: All respondents
(n=4 109)
| 42 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
Users’ appreciation of smart devices
There are many similarities between users’ appreciation for smart connected devices for health and
their appreciation for mobile apps for health and well-being. In both cases, the benefits associated
with using a smart device/wearable or a mobile app and their ease of use positively contribute to a
sense of satisfaction in the user, and this leads to an intention to continue using the device or app.
As discussed in detail below, users’ appreciation for smart devices is slightly greater than that found
among users of mobile apps for health and well-being, resulting in a stronger desire to continue
using smart devices (88%) compared to mobile apps (72%).
Perceived usefulness of smart devices
In our survey, 77% of the users of smart connected devices for health and well-being reported that,
overall, these devices have proven to be very useful in their lives (compared to 61% for mobile apps)
(Figure 25). Some 69% of users said that they have maintained or improved their health status by
using smart connected devices (compared to 54% for mobile apps).
As was the case for mobile apps, the data collected by patients’ smart connected devices for health
are not being discussed with their physicians, since only 41% of these patients reported that having
more informed discussions with their doctors is due to their use of these devices (compared to 42%
for mobile apps).
| 43 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
Base: Respondents who own and use a smart connected device for health and well-being (n=580)
41%
45%
57%
58%
60%
67%
77%
69%
43%
41%
37%
34%
31%
25%
18%
26%
16%
14%
6%
9%
9%
8%
5%
5%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%
Because of their use of smart devices, they feel
they can have more informed discussions with
their doctor
Because of their use of smart devices, they feel
less anxious about their health
Their use of smart devices allows them to be more
autonomous in the management of their health
They feel more confident taking care of their
health since they use smart devices
Their knowledge of their health has improved
because of their use of smart devices
Thanks to their smart devices, they have learned
to be better informed about their health
Overall, smart devices have proved very useful in
their lives
They have maintained or improved their health
status by using smart devices
Figure 25. Perceived usefulness of smart connected devices
Somewhat or strongly disagree Neutral Somewhat or strongly agree
| 44 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
User-friendliness of smart devices
A majority of those who use smart connected devices for health and well-being find them easy to
use. Generally speaking, 87% of respondents reported that they strongly or somewhat agreed
with the statement that they find their smart connected devices easy to use (Figure 26). This
exceeds the 76% obtained for mobile apps.
Base: Respondents who own and use a smart connected device for health and well-being (n=580)
85%
86%
84%
87%
10%
10%
11%
10%
5%
4%
5%
3%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
The information provided by their app(s) iseasy to understand and interpret
They find their smart devices user-friendly
Learning how to use their smart devices waseasy
In general, they find it easy to use their smartdevices
Figure 26. User-friendliness of smart connected devices
Somewhat or strongly disagree Neutral Somewhat or strongly agree
| 45 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
Confirmation of initial expectations
A total of 77% of respondents reported that their initial expectations concerning their smart devices
for health have been confirmed. This compares with 59% of the users of mobile apps. For 70% of
the respondents, their smart devices were easier to use than they first thought, compared to only
56% of the users of mobile apps.
Base: Respondents who own and use a smart connected device for health and well-being (n=580)
User satisfaction with smart devices
While slightly more than 70% of the users of mobile apps reported that they were satisfied with
such use, 83% of the users of smart devices for health were satisfied.
Base: Respondents who own and use a smart connected device health and well-being (n=580)
67%
70%
77%
26%
24%
19%
7%
6%
5%
There were more benefits to using their smart
devices than they first thought
Using their smart device(s) turned out to be easier
than they first thought
Their expectations concerning how they would use
their smart devices have been confirmed so far
Figure 27. Confirmation of initial expectations
Somewhat or strongly disagree Neutral Somewhat or strongly agree
83%
83%
76%
12%
12%
20%
5%
5%
4%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%
They are satisfied with their use of smart devices
They are pleased with their use of smart devices
They are delighted with their use of smart devices
Figure 28. Satisfaction with the use of smart connected devices
Somewhat or strongly disagree Neutral Somewhat or strongly agree
| 46 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
Intention to continue using smart devices
The level of user satisfaction with smart devices for health and well-being (83%) is also reflected in
respondents’ intentions to continue such use, since 88% reported that they have every intention
of continuing to use them, compared to only 72% among the users of mobile apps we surveyed.
Base: Respondents who own and use a smart connected device for health and well-being (n=580)
88%
85%
85%
8%
11%
12%
4%
4%
3%
0% 50% 100%
They have every intention of continuing to use
smart devices for health in the future
They have no intention of stopping their use of
smart devices for health in the future
They will continue to use smart devices to measure
different aspects of their health and well-being
Figure 29. Intention to continue using smart connected devices
Somewhat or strongly disagree Neutral Somewhat or strongly agree
| 47 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
Reasons for abandoning the use of smart connected devices related to health and
well-being
As shown in Figure 30, loss of interest in smart devices is the main reason why 44% of respondents
with such devices have stopped using them.
44%
20%
19%
15%
15%
12%
12%
10%
7%
7%
8%
After a while, they just lost interest in this kind of
device
The device(s) they had simply stopped working
well
Didn’t like carrying or wearing this type of device
with/on them
Had doubts about the reliability of the
information generated by the device(s) used
Had acquired this type of device more out of
curiosity
This type of device didn’t meet their personal
expectations
Capturing data with this type of device took too
much of their time
Didn’t like taking the time to synch their device
with the mobile app it came with
Found this type of object too complicated to use
Weren't able to attain the objectives they had set
for themselves
For no particular reason
Figure 30. Reasons for abandoning the use of smart connected devices
related to health and well-being
Base: Respondents who stopped using their smart connected device(s) (n=259)
| 48 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
| 49 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
The Future of Connected Health in Canada
| 50 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
Is there a future in Canada for consumer
connected health technologies? Given our results, there is a future in Canada for consumer connected health technologies.
According to our survey, 35% of Canadian adults already use smart devices for health and well-
being. They are young and well-educated, and often have higher-than-average incomes. In general,
they are satisfied with their experience using these tools, and they intend to continue using them.
In 2011, Cisco forecasted that by 2020, every citizen connected to the internet globally will own an
average of 6.58 smart devices13. In France, 61% of adults already believe that smart devices will
become indispensable, much like the Internet and smartphones have become indispensable.14
CIRANO conducted a population-based survey of 1,008 adults in Quebec in early 2017 and found
that 46% of respondents are favourable to using devices connected to the Internet (n=1008).15
Since connected smart devices/wearables are relatively new on the market they constitute a small
portion of overall connected devices per person only 1.5 smart connected devices are currently
used by adult Canadians.
13 http://www.cisco.com/c/dam/en_us/about/ac79/docs/innov/IoT_IBSG_0411FINAL.pdf 14 Source: Sociovision, 2015. 15 Source: Baromètre CIRANO 2017
Connected Devices per Person (Cisco forecast) 2003
0.08
6.3 B 500 M
2020
6.58
7.6 B 50 B
2010
1.84
6.8 B 12.5 B
2015
3.47
7.2 B 25 B
World population
Connected devices
| 51 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
Furthermore, the general adult population has relatively limited knowledge of the value of smart
connected devices for health and well-being, such that 47% of Canadian adults who don’t currently
own a smart connected device for health and well-being currently do not see the interest in owning
such digital tools (see Figure 31). Other obstacles from development costs, production supply chain;
to price, data quality and security are undoubtedly among key barriers to advancing access,
adoption and use of these devices.
Developers and marketing strategies for smart connected devices in the context of health and well-
being will likely need to demonstrate clinical and/or value-based outcomes to appeal to consumer
communities and face regulatory requirements in order to realize projected market penetration
estimates.
47%
41%
18%
17%
13%
11%
8%
6%
4%
4%
15%
Not interested
Smart devices are too expensive
Lack of enough knowledge about the benefits of
these smart devices
Doubts about the reliability of the measures they
take
Concern that unauthorized third parties will make
inappropriate use of personal data
Concern with the possibility of intrusion into
individual privacy
Concern with the possibility of not knowing how to
use these smart devices
Concern with the possibility that the use of those
devices will become an obsession
Concern with the possibility of becoming dependent
on these devices
Doctor does not seem to have any interest in these
smart devices
No specific reason
Figure 31. Reasons non users currently do not own a smart
conneted device for health and well-being
Base: Respondents who do not own smart devices (n=2 035)
| 52 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
Since the general population of non-users has limited knowledge of the value proposition for
mobile apps and smart connected devices for health and well-being, intentions to buy one are also
relatively low. Only 15% of the adults surveyed reported that they intend to buy one in the next 12
months.
However, if we examine the list of smart devices that respondents reported wanting to buy in the
future, we see that the connected watch is not the only device on the list, which includes devices
like pedometers, blood pressure monitors and bathroom scales.
38%
16%
22%
14%
1%
9%
Not at all likely
Very unlikely
Unlikely
Somewhat likely
Very likely
Don’t' know
Figure 32. Intention to buy a smart connected device for health
or well-being in the next 12 months
Base: Respondents who do not own smart devices (n=2 035)
| 53 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
Lastly, our results reveal that relatively few users of smart connected devices and mobile apps are
sharing their data with their doctors. In the U.S., a Salesforce Research survey found that 78% of the
adults who own such devices would like their doctor to have access to the data. In a recent survey
of Canadians conducted by Canada Infoway, 67% of users of smart connected devices and/or
mobile health apps said they would share information from their devices/apps if their doctor
requested it.16
16 https://www.infoway-inforoute.ca/en/component/edocman/resources/reports/privacy/3348-earnscliffe-survey-on-
electronic-health-information-and-privacy?Itemid=101
60%
39%
24%
21%
15%
12%
9%
9%
8%
8%
5%
5%
8%
Bracelet, wristband, or watch
Pedometer
Blood pressure monitor
Bathroom scale
Toothbrush
Other connected/intelligent devices worn using
a band
Thermometer
Pulse oximeter or spirometer (respiratory
functions)
Intelligent clothing
Glucose monitor
Intelligent pill dispenser
Fork
Other portable connected device
Figure 33. Smart connected devices for health and well-being that
Canadians intend to purchase over the next 12 months
Base: Respondents who do not own smart devices , but who have the intention of getting
one in the next 12 months (n=489)
| 54 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
| 55 Diffusion of Smart Devices for Health in Canada
The work of HEC Montréal’s Research Chair in Digital Health focuses on three main objectives:
to better understand the leverage of information technologies for developing and
implementing new health care organizational methods; to identify and measure the clinical,
structural and financial impacts of implementing new technologies; and to study the main risks
and issues – human, organizational, political or technological – related to this major digital
shift. The knowledge that the Chair develops through its various research projects will help
ensure successful implementation of the technologies required to carry out several priorities
under the current Quebec and Canadian reforms, including in areas such as home care, primary
care and integrated care networks.
CEFRIO is a research and innovation organization that supports public and private
organizations as they transform their processes and business practices through the
appropriation and use of digital technologies. CEFRIO is a member of QuébecInnove and has
a mandate from the Government of Quebec to contribute to the advancement of Quebec
society through digital technology. It conducts research, experiments and surveys, and raises
awareness of the uses for digital technologies in every aspect of society. Its work relies on the
contributions of its experienced team, a network of over 90 associated and visiting
investigators as well as the commitment of close to 250 members. CEFRIO’s primary financial
partner is the Ministère de l’Économie, de la Science et de l’Innovation (MESI).
www.CEFRIO.qc.ca l [email protected] l Twitter: @CEFRIO
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Telephone: 514 840-1245
Adoption of mobile apps and smart devices
for health and well-being
ISNB: 978-2-923852-74-4
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