The Impact of Medical Device Usability and Accessibility Information on Purchasing Decisions of People Without Disabilities

Abstract

The disparity between people with and without disabilities in timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment is exacerbated by inaccessible medical devices. The industry appears reluctant to address the shortcomings or provide usability and accessibility information to enhance the purchasing decisions of people with disabilities. This reluctance is mainly caused by the lack of market motivation based on perceptions of market size and the profitability of investments in accessibility evaluation and improvement. This study aims to challenge this notion by demonstrating that usability and accessibility information do not solely benefit what may be considered a “niche market,” and the purchasing decisions of people without disabilities may also hinge on medical device usability and accessibility information. A total of 194 people without disabilities participated in this study, and their preferences in purchasing blood pressure monitors were examined through a Discrete Choice Experiment. The findings revealed that usability and accessibility information not only appeal to a broader audience than only people with disabilities but also significantly impact the likelihood of purchase for people with no disabilities. These insights have the potential to provide the additional market motivation necessary to instigate a paradigm shift in the industry, thereby curtailing the differential in health outcomes between people with and without disabilities and fostering a more equitable healthcare landscape for all.