title: Public knowledge and perceptions of connected health.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to examine the public's knowledge and perceptions of connected health (CH).
  
  
  METHODS
  A structured questionnaire was administered by face-to-face interview to an opportunistic sample of 1003 members of the public in 11 shopping centres across Northern Ireland (NI). Topics included public knowledge of CH, opinions about who should provide CH and views about the use of computers in health care. Multivariable analyses were conducted to assess respondents' willingness to use CH in the future.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-seven per cent of respondents were female, 31% were less than 30 years old and 22% were over 60 years. Most respondents had never heard of CH (92%). Following a standard definition, the majority felt CH was a good idea (≈90%) and that general practitioners were in the best position to provide CH; however, respondents were equivocal about reductions in health care professionals' workload and had some concerns about the ease of device use. Factors positively influencing willingness to use CH in the future included knowledge of someone who has a chronic disease, residence in NI since birth and less concern about the use of information technology (IT) in health care. Those over 60 years old or who felt threatened by the use of IT to store personal health information were less willing to use CH in the future.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increased public awareness and education about CH is required to alleviate concerns and increase the acceptability of this type of care.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, UK.
authors.forename: Paul J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Barr
authors.forename: Shauna C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Brady
authors.forename: Carmel M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.forename: James C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: McElnay
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009660:Northern Ireland; D011639:Public Opinion; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: health care surveys; health knowledge attitudes; practice; telemedicine