Skepticism is spreading among 2,064 insureds of the SBK Siemens company health insurance fund regarding the release and use of data concerning digitalized prevention and disease therapy. It is unclear what happens to their personal health-related data for many of those affected after it has been released through data protection declarations.
This issue emerged from an online survey conducted by YouGov Deutschland GmbH on behalf of the SBK, which launched a representative survey of the German population aged 18 and older over three days in May 2021. According to SBK expert Christine Ott, the results do not really surprise the statutory health insurer. It just shows that there needs to be better educated on the health insurer, including data literacy in digital health literacy. Data sovereignty must also remain with the insured, who decides to whom and when data is transferred. Data misuse must be prevented, and the injured party must report it at an early stage and at a low threshold.
The opinion research institute found that respondents view and evaluate artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare (rather) negatively. Seventy-one percent have a rather negative attitude toward this topic and rate algorithms as a threat because they could be prone to error and manipulation. Many also believe that individuality cannot be considered in the mass analysis of large amounts of data. 48 percent even consider data misuse to be possible.
However, 39 percent of respondents are in favor of artificial intelligence and its benefits. Here, the positive attitude depends on age and level of education, as the data analysis revealed. While younger people between the ages of 18 and 24 have a positive attitude (51 percent), distrust predominates in the group over 55. An analysis of the data also showed that skepticism decreases with the level of education. In high school graduates, 46 percent have a positive attitude; among respondents with other school qualifications, only 30 percent.
Christine Ott also explains the existing skepticism; according to the SBK expert, too little information about the opportunities and therapy options of algorithm-driven healthcare would lead to the rejection of potential users. 28 percent feel well informed; the rest do not see themselves evaluating the matter properly. Medical professionals and health insurers also enjoy more trust than public and private-sector research institutions, to which respondents would only hand over their individual data in a few cases.
Source: www.gesundheit-adhoc.de