Generational differences on digital health transformation

You just converted all your documents to PDF files and added kludgy bots to your contact center. And now you find that digital health transformation has bypassed your enterprise with all this crazy new stuff you hear your kids talking about.  

Believe me, as a know-it-all boomer who fancies himself a digital health pundit, I can identify with the tombstone in the image above. In such a short time I felt like I went from wearing a tuxedo to an old leisure suit from college.  

So, for those younger demographics who chant the phrase “Okay, Boomer” I call on you to share with us the vision of the next generation of digital health transformation.  

As a boomer, there are digital health transformation elements I hear on calls with my demographic peers stuck in their time machine that are long on the tooth; debates about Wi-Fi bandwidth, skepticism of AI, and suspicion about burnout.  

So, what would it look like if The Young Turks were driving transformation without “adult supervision”?  

First a review of generational landscape and context.  

Baby Boomers (Born 1946-1964)

• Adoption & Use: Generally less comfortable with digital technology compared to younger generations. However, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated their adoption of telemedicine and online health services. 
• Expectations: Prefer in-person interactions but are increasingly open to digital tools for managing chronic conditions, accessing medical records, and communicating with healthcare providers.
• Challenges: Barriers include a lack of digital literacy and concerns about data privacy. They may require more user-friendly interfaces and additional support in navigating digital tools. 

Generation X (Born 1965-1980)

• Adoption & Use: Often act as caregivers for both aging parents and their own children, making them critical users of healthcare technology. They are comfortable with digital health tools like telemedicine, electronic health records, and online health resources.
• Expectations: Value convenience and access to information. They are more likely to use online patient portals, health apps, and digital communication with providers. 
• Challenges: Balancing their roles as caregivers while managing their own health, they need integrated digital solutions that support multitasking and streamline care coordination.
   

Millennials (Born 1981-1996)

• Adoption & Use: As digital natives, they are highly comfortable with technology and expect healthcare to be as accessible and convenient as other services they use (e.g., banking, shopping). 
• Expectations: Demand for on-demand care, such as telehealth services, mobile health apps, and wearable technology for health tracking. They value transparency, personalized care, and the ability to manage their health digitally. 
• Challenges: Concerned with affordability and access, particularly in managing chronic conditions. They expect seamless integration of health services with technology and are quick to switch providers if their digital needs aren’t met.

Generation Z (Born 1997-2012)

• Adoption & Use: This generation is highly attuned to digital health tools, relying on mobile apps, online communities, and social media for health information. They are early adopters of new health technologies like AI-driven health apps and virtual reality for mental health. 
• Expectations: They expect a high level of digital engagement from healthcare providers, including instant communication, online scheduling, and virtual consultations. They also seek holistic approaches to health, combining mental, physical, and emotional well-being.
• Challenges: Privacy concerns are paramount for this generation, especially regarding sensitive health data. They also face challenges in navigating the complexities of health insurance and access to affordable care.
   

Generation Alpha (Born 2013-Present)

• Adoption & Use: Growing up in a fully digital world, Generation Alpha will likely expect even more advanced healthcare technologies as they mature. They will be the first generation to experience lifelong digital health records and AI-driven healthcare. 
• Expectations: Future expectations may include immersive health education, predictive analytics for personalized care, and possibly even more advanced telehealth and remote monitoring technologies. 
• Challenges: Ensuring equitable access to these advanced technologies and addressing the ethical concerns surrounding AI and data use in healthcare.
   

Cross-Generational Considerations

• Interoperability: A key concern is ensuring that digital health systems are interoperable across different platforms and generations, allowing for seamless care continuity. 
• Digital Literacy: Efforts to improve digital literacy across all generations are essential to ensure equitable access to healthcare. 
• Security & Privacy: With increasing reliance on digital tools, safeguarding patient data is a top priority, and each generation may have different levels of trust and concern regarding these issues.
   

Understanding these generational differences is critical for healthcare providers, payers, tech developers, policymakers, and the patients themselves to create the technologies that go well beyond the our current wave of digital transformation.