Public awareness of the medical ID feature on smartphones in Jeddah in 2020

Abstract

Background: Medical identification (ID) feature on smartphones provides healthcare providers (HCPs) with crucial information about the patient in emergencies. Utilizing medical IDs depends on public awareness. Objective: To estimate the level of awareness about medical ID features on smartphones among the public in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in 2020. The estimated awareness will be compared to similar studies in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This was a qualitative cross-sectional study. A standardized electronic questionnaire was distributed to the public of Jeddah. Responses of the participants were collected via a Google Form. The data were analyzed in Statistical Package for the Social Sciences V27 to answer the questions of interest. Results: In total, 388 participants met the inclusion criteria. Of the respondents, 36.3% were aware of medical ID features on smartphones, with more awareness among females and significant associations of awareness with age and education level (p = 0.004, p = 0.026). Additionally, the medical ID feature on smartphones was the most recognized and used type of medical ID (74.6% and 70.37%, respectively) by those aware of medical ID. Conclusion: Awareness of the medical ID feature on smartphones among the participants was low. The study findings add to the nationwide data on this issue and provide an objective measurement of medical ID awareness which can guide future efforts concerning educating the public and HCPs about this feature's importance and ease of use.