How Millennials Are Impacting Healthcare IT

Stay tuned for a series of blog posts this week and next filled with #HIMSS16 Hashtags. We’ll be covering several HealthIT topics and would love for you to join in on the conversation!

Millennials between the ages of 18 and 24 have been changing the norms as consumers. Nearly all business sectors have been affected by millennials because they are not sticking to traditional consumer trends. Below I highlighted 5 ways in which millennials are changing the world of healthcare:

1) Millennials are more likely to use telehealth

According to a Harris Poll survey, Millennials between the ages of 18 and 34 are most likely (74%) to be interested in telehealth compared to only 41% of individuals age 65 and above. A separate joint survey between Salesforce and Harris Poll found 61% of millennials would support the use of telehealth to eliminate in-person visits.

2) Millennials are more likely to get the better bang for their buck

Millennials are the most likely age group to price check medical and dental care (FAIR Health Survey). They are also more likely to ask for a discount, request a price check and ask for cheaper treatment options. Unfortunately, millennials are also more likely to forgo care when compared to baby boomers because they feel it is too expensive.

3) Millennials prefer to use mHealth

According to the ‘State of the Connected Patient’ report, 71% of millennials said that they would like to schedule appointments, share health data and manage preemptive care from their mobile device. 40% of patients also said they do not currently receive preventive care from providers.

4) Millennials check online reviews 

Half of Millennials and Gen Xers use online reviews to select their healthcare provider compared to only 28% of seniors. 50% of millennials and Gen Xers also compare insurance options online, meanwhile only 25% of seniors use online options.

5) Millennials want to work for healthcare companies

According to a survey conducted by the National Society of High School Scholars (NHSS), 8 health-related companies have been listed as top 25 specific companies for which millennials want to work. They are listed below:

• St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (Memphis, Tenn.) — ranked No. 3 overall
• A “local hospital” — No. 6
• Health Care Service Corporation (Chicago) — No. 9
• Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta — No. 10
• Mayo Clinic (Rochester, Minn.) — No. 14
• Blue Cross Blue Shield (Chantilly, Va.) — No. 22
• UnitedHealth Group (Minneapolis) — No. 23
• Atlantic Health Service — No. 25

We are sure to see healthcare expand and adapt to the ever-changing consumer health care trends. #GenY4HIT

Comes visit DICOM Grid at HIMSS 2016 Booth # 11338!