“Alexa.” “Hey Google.” “Siri?” If you’ve uttered these words, you’ve used voice command technology. We’ve moved beyond the availability of information at the touch of your fingertips, to availability using the sound of your voice. An estimated 46% of adults use some form of voice assistant search daily and, late in 2017, Google estimated that about 1 in 5 mobile search queries were done employing voice commands. Those numbers will continue to increase as voice recognition systems continue to improve, become easier to use, and are increasingly extended to non-mobile devices such as smart speakers and home-based digital assistants. Analysts estimate that by 2022 55% of US households will have a smart device.
What are the implications of voice command technology for healthcare? Voice command assistants have the potential to revolutionize patient care – both at home and in inpatient settings – by increasing efficiency and allowing for easier access to medical information.
Why are patients using voice search instead of conventional online searching?
- It allows interaction even when we cannot see the device being queried.
- To interact with a device in a hands-free manner. People with disabilities who may have difficulty typing on a keyboard or smartphone find this especially helpful. It’s also quicker since most people speak at about 150 words per minute, compared to an average typing speed of 40 words per minute.
- Many people who use a voice-activated speaker say it “feels like talking to a person.” Voice command technology may make accessing medical information seem less intimidating and more personal. This may be especially true for older patients, for whom discussing medical information is often uncomfortable.
- It allows patients to receive information in real time.
