Executive Summary

Though still in the early stages of adoption, voice-activated technology presents exciting opportunities for healthcare and pharma organizations. But as they seek to engage their audiences in more personalized and frictionless ways, they must also ensure data is kept private and secure.

• Why is the healthcare industry so interested in voice? The use of voice assistants powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and voice-activated devices is exploding in the US and around the world. These technologies have the potential to improve the healthcare system and change the way healthcare brands, providers and patients interact.
• Who is exploring voice tech for health-related purposes? Organizations in and around the healthcare industry are starting to experiment with voice tech. They include care facilities and other healthcare providers, healthcare agencies, researchers, pharmaceutical companies, nonprofit organizations, payers, large tech companies and startups.
• What are healthcare organizations doing with voice tech? Voice applications can provide information and awareness about health conditions, locate facilities, enhance patient-provider communications, encourage medication adherence, foster brand loyalty and potentially drive better medical outcomes.
• What are the challenges to implementing voice tech in healthcare? In addition to getting people to trust and use it, the biggest challenges involve privacy and security. All applications that involve sharing protected health information (PHI) are subject to applicable government regulations, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). Most of today’s voice assistants are not yet compliant.

WHAT’S IN THIS REPORT? This report explores the use of voice-activated and voice-first technology in the healthcare industry. It also discusses the ways voice applications can benefit patients, providers and healthcare brands.

KEY STAT: More than six in 10 consumers who use voice search for health-related topics are seeking information about symptoms and treatments. Nearly the same number look for information about doctors, hospitals and clinics.