As patient engagement takes new forms and value-based healthcare solutions are getting popular among patients, healthcare preferences of millennials show a sharp difference from Generation Xers and baby boomers. This will undoubtedly redefine healthcare industry in the future.

The manner in which each generation-millennials, Generation Xers and baby boomers engage with healthcare providers shows a stark difference. Healthcare providers need to reshape their strategy accordingly.

Employee Benefit Research Institute/ Greenwald & Associates Consumer Engagement in Health Care Survey was conducted in 2017 to examine issues concerning various aspects of consumer-driven healthcare. This was an online survey participated by approximately 3,560 adults with ages between 21 to 64 years. 

These survey results will assist healthcare providers in catering to patients from different generations in an apt manner.

Baby boomers are more likely to have a primary care provider -PCP as compared to millennials and Gen Xers. 85% baby boomers said they had a PCP as compared to 67% millennials and 78% of Gen Xers

Walk-in clinics are popular amongst millennials as they value affordable prices, quick service and less wait time. 30% millennials and 18% Gen Xers said they used walk-in clinics as compared to 14% baby boomers.

40% millennials prefer telemedicine as compared to 27% Gen Xers and 19% baby boomers. Millennials engage more in research on healthcare options, costs, quality ratings of doctors/ hospitals and coverage for medications. 

Millennials are a more conscious, aware and well-researched generation with the preference for walk-in clinics and telehealthcare solutions. But, millennials will eventually age and shift their preferences as their lifestyle will change thus, again redefining the landscape of healthcare solutions.