Millennials and Telehealth: Perfectly Programmed
The Millennial Generation is the fastest-growing segment of the work force. According to Peter Economy of Inc.com, “By 2020, Millennials are forecast to comprise half of the American workforce, and by 2025, 75 percent of the global workforce.” This generation is unique in that they are the first to be well-versed in both old and new technologies. They grew up during the transition from portable phones to cell phones; they bought book covers for their elementary school textbooks and protective sleeves for their college laptops.
Today, roughly 92% of Millennials own smartphones, and 85% report using social media regularly (FactTank, 2018). The transition has been smooth for this generation- they are well-equipped to deal with progressive and rapid change.
Millennials are ready to embrace new technology, and are more than willing to help older generations in the workforce understand and embrace it as well. Especially in the healthcare industry, this is a recipe for success, both for healthcare organizations and patients. They’re ready to take the healthcare industry out of the Dark Ages of paper piles, and into the digital convenience of the present. We should be giving them access to the best tools to do just that.
We should be giving them access to Telehealth.
Becker’s Hospital Review article outlined the ways that Millennials are changing the healthcare industry. Rounding out the Top 3:
- Increased demand for technical innovation
- Instant Care
- Telehealth Adoption
As patients, Millennials want faster, more accurate, more organized care. As healthcare employees, they want to be able to provide that same care.
Telehealth provides exactly what Millennials have become accustomed to – instant, accurate data, multiple options for records transmission, and the opportunity to clearly connect with everyone associated with the patient.
Speed, accuracy, and connection.
It’s what enables the millennials to put their smartphone talents to work for the patients and healthcare workflow process. Telehealth has proven over time to speed time to treatment, lesson risk and costs, while improving the patient care and experience.