Millennials are changing the landscape of healthcare. Millennial nurses are working at a faster pace, seeking work-life balance and the desire and efforts advance their knowledge and careers. Millennial patients are ditching primary care facilities. Millennials are driving sweeping change with their need for digital access. Overall, with the largest spending power of any generation, all aspects of healthcare- from point of service to manufacturing, needs to change in relation to this dynamic group.
Millennial Nurses
As of 2017, millennials became the largest working generation. Their impact has been felt across all sectors. They are flocking to the nursing sector to provide the flexibility and freedom they crave.
“I think what millennials bring to our world is fresh eyes on how to look at patient care with technology supporting us, as opposed to being a barrier,” said Surani Hayre-Kwan, director of professional practice and nursing excellence for Sutter Health. “That has been a huge change.”
Why they are choosing nursing as a profession:
- They are overachievers- they actively seek ways to improve and grow in their chosen field
- They have a sense of commitment and a strong work ethic
- Work life balance is a pressing concern- and nursing offers significantly more flexibility than other career paths
Shifting Away From Primary Care Facilities
A national poll performed in July 2018 by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that 40% of the participants between 19 and 29 years of age did not have a primary care physician. Instead, they are turning to urgent care facilities, telemedicine or retail clinics in drug stores.
The primary reasons: CONVENIENCE and SPEED
The Digital Revolution
Not only are millennials using telemedicine but they are also utilizing digital solutions, such as wearable healthcare tech like smartwatches which track activity level and heart rate.
At the healthcare provider level, items that facilitate the patient experience, such as online billpay and access to digital appointment setting they can perform themselves are topping some of the pressing concerns for millennials. They are also embracing social media as a way to find and rate doctors.
Final Thoughts
In 2018, millennials control the largest spending power of any generation with $3.39 trillion, furthermore by 2025, 75% of the national workforce will be millennials who grew up with social media and consumer-centric technology. Overall, at this time the only choice for success is to adapt and find new solutions. These solutions not only need to be at the physician level, but all the way up to medical device innovation. These organizations need to adapt, or they will be left behind.
