Healthcare is changing at warp speed. And while many of the changes can be attributed to various attempts at healthcare reform, an equally powerful driver of change has been ? and continues to be ? the Millennial generation.

According to Wikipedia, Millennials are those born between the early 1980s and early 2000s, and are marked by their increased use of and familiarity with media and digital technologies. ?To this point, research tells us that more than 85% of Millennials own a smart phone (and they reach for these devices more than 45 times per day!). ?Perhaps the most telling statistic about Millennials, though, comes from a Bank of America survey: Nearly four in 10 interact with their smart phones more than they do with their significant others, parents, friends, children or co-workers.

While these statistics may be a bit startling from a social perspective, when it comes to healthcare, they highlight a tremendous opportunity for providers, payers, health and wellness companies, and others to reach Millennials ? to provide improved access to care and encourage engagement (from disease prevention and chronic care management to financial planning ? and everything in between).

According to the digital technology experts at PointClear Solutions, healthcare leaders looking to leverage technology to reach Millennial audiences should begin by understanding these three truths:

1. Millennials want technology in healthcare.?

– 73% are interested in their providers using mobile devices during appointments to share information.¹
– 63% are interested in proactively exchanging their health data from Wi-Fi or wearable devices with their physician.¹
– 61% are interested in3D printing?for medical devices, such as prosthetics and hearing aids.¹
– 57% are interested in cutting-edge technology devices, like pills that monitor internal vitals when swallowed.¹

2. Millennials demand easy access.

– 71% are interested in apps that allow them to schedule appointments; review health records; and actively manage their well-being for preventive care.
– 74% would prefer to see a doctor virtually.
– Multiple surveys show that Millennials rank convenience as their top healthcare priority (Think online check-in, text messaging capabilities, alternative care settings, and video-based educational tools).

3. Millennials want information ? and they?ll crowdsource to get it.

– 46% want as much quantifiable data about their health as possible.
– Millennials are twice as likely than previous generations to?act on health advice they find on the internet, including chat rooms and social media.
-?90% of young Millennials trust medical information shared by others on their social media networks.

What does all of this mean?

Millennials are digital natives, who don?t remember the world pre- Amazon and pre- YouTube. They expect immediate gratification, interactive experiences, and information, information, information. They want ? and expect ? technology in healthcare.

Are you ready to heed their call? We can help.?

To connect with one of PointClear Solutions’ technology experts, or to learn more about this blog topic (or our digital strategy, design, development, and/or management services),?Contact Us. (And don’t forget to follow us on?LinkedIn?for more great content!)

Research provided by PointClear Solutions Intern Brady Lowery.

1 SalesForce ?State of the Connected Patient,? 2015