The digital transformation of healthcare is well underway, with doctors increasingly turning to technology to improve efficiency and patient care. However, while adoption is growing, familiarity and confidence in digital health solutions remain mixed, highlighting the need for better integration and support.
A recent AusDoc study of 162 doctors shows that while almost all (96%) of doctors have had some exposure to digital health tools, 54% remain only ‘somewhat familiar’ and nearly a quarter say that they ‘lack confidence’ or any experience in using them.
In fact, when asked “Do you currently use or recommend any digital health solutions in your practice? (excluding telehealth)”, 52.5% responded ‘no’. [1]
However, it was mid-career doctors — those with 11 to 20 years of practice — that are leading the charge in adopting digital health solutions. They recognise the benefits of wearables, remote patient monitoring, and AI-assisted tools to streamline workflows and improve patient outcomes.
Among all doctors who are currently using or recommending digital health solutions to patients, the top solutions were: [2]
| Electronic Health Records (EHRs) & Health Information Systems for digitising patient records | 69.4% |
| Wearable Health Devices (e.g., Apple Watch, Fitbit) which track heart rate, activity, and sleep | 68.0% |
| Mobile Health Apps for diabetes management, mental health, and symptom checking | 50.0% |
| Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) e.g., continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) or remote ECG monitoring for cardiac patients | 45.8% |
| Medication Management Tools to help patients adhere to prescriptions | 23.65 |
What’s Driving Doctor Adoption of Digital Health?
When asked why what they saw as the primary benefits of their patients using digital health solutions, these were the main drivers. [3]
| Improved patient monitoring | 61.1% |
| Real-time data for informed decision-making | 61.1% |
| Increased efficiency in patient management | 50.0% |
| Overall better patient outcomes | 41.7% |
| Enhanced medication adherence | 37.5% |
| Improved patient diagnosis | 30.6% |
Wearables and Improved Patient Monitoring
Doctors are recognising the benefits of real-time health tracking, with 24.3% considering wearables ‘very effective’ and 62.9% finding them ‘somewhat effective’. These tools help improve chronic disease management, early intervention, and patient engagement.
“Wearables help my patients monitor their own conditions better, but the challenge is ensuring the data is reliable and useful for clinical decisions.” – Dr. (Endocrinologist)
“I recommend the watch for my older patients to help keep them safe via falls detection.” – GP
AI-Powered ‘real-time’ Data-Driven Decision Support
Machine learning tools and predictive analytics are enhancing diagnostic accuracy and helping doctors identify at-risk patients earlier.
“AI-powered alerts have helped me catch early warning signs I might have missed. It’s an invaluable tool—but it must complement, not replace, clinical judgment.” Dr. (Specialist)
Reducing Administrative Burden
Digital solutions are streamlining documentation, scheduling, and patient communication, allowing doctors to focus on care. The integration of AI-powered electronic health records (EHRs) has contributed to reducing administrative workload in some practices.
Greater Patient Engagement and Adherence:
Wearables and health apps empower patients to take control of their health, leading to better adherence and outcomes.
“It creates greater patient engagement in their disease management.” – GP
Challenges of Digital Adoption—And How Doctors are Overcoming Them
Barriers to Adoption—What’s Holding Doctors Back?
Despite the benefits of digital health tech solutions, doctors still have significant concerns:
- 79.3% cite data privacy and security as their primary issue.
- “Ensuring patient data is protected is a major challenge. If security isn’t guaranteed, many of us hesitate to fully adopt digital health solutions.”
- 57.8% worry about the accuracy and reliability of digital tools.
- “We need clear validation and testing for AI-driven diagnostics before integrating them into routine care. The accuracy of these tools is still a concern.”
- “It depends what is being measured and how well the device is worn.” – GP
- 43.7% fear over-reliance on technology, leading to a loss of clinical intuition.
- “I worry that if we rely too much on AI, we’ll stop thinking critically. Technology should assist, not replace, our expertise.” – Dr. (Consultant)
Other barriers mentioned included:
- Interoperability Issues:
- Many doctors find that different digital tools don’t communicate well with each other.
- “Half of my patients use mobile health apps, but integrating that data into our system is a nightmare. We need standardisation.” – Dr. (Specialist)
- “Implementation is the issue. Huge data dumps from patients without interpretation aren’t helpful.” – Dr. (Specialist)
- Ongoing Training Needs:
- Doctors often feel that tech adoption is hindered by a lack of proper training.
- “We had to learn a new digital prescribing system overnight, and it caused so many errors initially. Better training would have helped.” – GP
What’s Next for Digital Health?
For digital health to reach its full potential, companies must address these concerns by:
- Strengthening data security and ensuring compliance with privacy regulations;
- Improving AI accuracy with real-world clinical validation;
- Providing structured training to increase doctor confidence in using digital tools; and,
- Ensuring seamless integration with existing workflows.
With the right support, digital health solutions can enhance—not hinder—medical practice, paving the way for more efficient, patient-centred healthcare.
“We’re at a turning point. If digital health tools are developed with doctors’ needs in mind, adoption will follow naturally.” – Dr. (Specialist)
With more hospitals integrating digital tools directly into EHRs, the future of medicine is shifting toward a seamless, tech-enhanced model that prioritises both doctor efficiency and patient well-being. As digital adoption grows, doctors will be at the forefront, leveraging innovation to create a smarter, more connected healthcare system.
For further information or to discuss this article, click to contact us
Source: AusDoc survey ‘Doctor understanding and use of digital health solutions’, February 2025, (n=162)
[1] For this study, doctors were given the instruction to EXCLUDE telemedicine such as virtual consultations or platforms when answering as they would have skewed the results.
[2] Q6: “Which types of digital health solutions are you patients currently using or are you recommending? (Select all that apply)”
[3] Q8:“What are the primary benefits of your patients using digital health solutions? (Select all that apply)”
This article was written with the assistance of AI.