4th Annual AXA Digital Healthcare State of the Nation Roundtable

Findings from AXA’s 4th digital health tech ‘State of the Nation’ survey with YouGov were shared at the 2020health Roundtable on January 16th. The survey looked at how the nation perceives the use of mental health technology in the workplace and in personal life. This discussion considered how the corporate could harness health technology to support and encouraging proactive wellbeing amongst employees.

UK Workers Willing to Wear Tech Devices to Detect Mental Health Conditions

• Survey reveals 51% of British workforce would be prepared to wear a device that detects the early signs of mental health symptoms if their company supplied it free of charge
• 41% of the British workforce have experienced symptoms of a mental health condition in the workplace
• Health Tech & You Roundtable with expert panellists took place to discuss how health tech can help with mental health in the workplace

A new survey reveals that over half of British workers would be willing to wear a health tech device that may detect the early signs of mental health symptoms if their employer would supply the device.

With 4 in 10 (41%) of the British workforce having experienced symptoms of a mental health condition in the workplace, the fourth annual AXA Health Tech & You State of the Nation online survey conducted by YouGov, looked at the willingness of workers to adopt health technology in the workplace to help support employee wellbeing.  For employers, health tech can provide useful information to help reduce workforce absenteeism and increase productivity.

The survey revealed that if an employer is willing to supply a device, 45% of employees are comfortable to share information gathered if it helps with employee health and wellbeing strategies. 

Out of those not feeling comfortable sharing information on mental health with their employer, the majority (69%) are worried about workplace discrimination or do not like the idea of their employer knowing details of their health and lifestyle.  However, if the information was anonymised, half (50%) would feel comfortable sharing this data with their employer.

The Health Tech & You Survey results showed mixed perceptions of sharing mental health issues with employers:  Over half (52%) of those who have experienced symptoms of a mental health condition in the workplace haven’t discussed this with their employer.  But of those who had talked to their employer, the majority (71%) have been supported or helped to manage their symptoms in the workplace.

AXA Health Tech & You Roundtable

Representatives from NHS England, the mental health charity Mind, academia and business leaders recently discussed these findings at an AXA Health Tech & You Roundtable: Managing Mental Wellbeing in the Workplace, Can Health Tech Help?  The lively debate covered topics including the emerging trends of health tech in the workplace and how it can be used for early detection and treatment.  The issues surrounding data sharing and confidentiality were also brought to the table and the challenges of overcoming fears of stigma and discrimination. 

Key points that arose from this discussion included:

• Trust. A culture of trust should be established in the workplace with regards to wearing personal health tech to monitor mental wellbeing
• Support. Health tech should be used to complement existing  face-to-face support for employees not replace human interaction
• Holistic Approach. The health and wellbeing of individuals should not just focus on the workplace environment, but take into consideration their wider lifestyle outside of the workplace that may contribute to mental wellbeing
• Implementation. Tech to support mental wellbeing should be implemented on a personal basis and involve senior management discussing openly their commitment to support those with a mental health condition.
• Accreditation. Any health tech to be used should be accredited to ensure quality, efficacy and safety for employees.

Suzanne Scott, HR Director at AXA PPP healthcare and a Roundtable panellist, said:

“In my experience line managers want to support people in their teams who experience mental health issues. Technology opens up a new way to help both the employee and the manager broach the subject and having the relevant data is always a helpful way into a conversation.  At AXA PPP we are looking at ways we can introduce technology to help us take the next step forward in supporting our people’s wellness.”

Julia Manning, Founding Director 2020health and Roundtable Chairperson, said:

 “Familiarity with smartphones and other consumer tech means people already have tools in their hands to think about supporting their wellbeing. Some good points were made in the discussion about the need for leaders in the workplace to use and champion evidence-based digital health before it can be seen as ‘something for me’. Given the huge unmet need in society for mental health support, if we can get to a place where it is normal, beneficial and safe to utilise digital mental health tools, then I would hope this would build confidence in self-management of wellbeing.”

The importance of mental health in the workplace features as part of the AXA Health Tech & You programme. Now in its fourth year it features an Awards programme which has a dedicated category focusing on mental health in the workplace.  The category has an objective to better support employees’ mental wellbeing and is looking for solutions that can monitor day-to-day behaviours and flag up early signs of mental health conditions.

There are six categories for the Health Tech & You Awards programme 2018. For further information or to enter this category, please visit www.healthtechandyou.com. The closing date is Thursday 1 March 2018.

The winners will be announced at an Awards evening on 9 May 2018. Previous winners and finalists have benefitted through increased awareness, industry partnerships (including opportunities to work with AXA PPP healthcare, one of the largest and most experienced health insurance providers in the UK) plus funding opportunities.

For more information about AXA Health Tech & You, please visit www.healthtechandyou.com