The uses and potential of biometrics in health care : Are consumers and providers ready for it?

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an understanding of the utilization, attitudes, and concerns of health care consumers and providers about biometrics. Design/methodology/approach – Data were analyzed from a survey of 324 adult subjects, including 167 “health care consumers” and 157 “healthcare providers.” Findings – Health care providers were found more accepting of biometric technologies than consumers, a finding that seems to follow from more familiarity and experience with those technologies. Feelings about the potential uses and limitations of biometrics were found to be more differentiated among providers than consumers. Yet, concerns about privacy and the need for information limits were identifiable as important feelings among providers and consumers alike. Finally, demographic characteristics only weakly to modestly distinguished concerns about privacy and confidentiality among health care consumers and providers. Research limitations/implications – The findings reported here suggest the need for additional research into the types of biometrics adopted in diverse health care settings and into the nature of innovators or early adopters. Practical implications – If biometrics is to gain acceptance, there seems to be a need for different promotion strategies for providers and consumers. Also, concerns for personal privacy will need to be considered. Originality/value – This paper fills an important gap in understanding the uses, feelings, and concerns about biometrics among health care consumers and providers.