They think they're invincible. But they aren't. So when the nation's young adults need health services, they'd prefer to do it via mHealth.
A full 70 percent of Americans between the ages of 18-34 who took part in a recent survey, in fact, said they delayed a trip to the doctor's office because it wasn't convenient. And they're not the only ones. Among all age groups (the survey was taken of 2,061 adults ages 18 and older), that percentage stood at 54.
The survey, conducted March 6-10 by Harris Poll on behalf of MDLIVE, points to the fact that while mHealth solutions will be needed by the older generations, the younger generations – the decision-makers, careteakers and wage-earners - will drive large-scale adoption. It also paints an interesting portrait of why the normal consumer doesn't want to make a doctor's appointment.
“The study demonstrates that telehealth is not just seeing a demand for access to quality patient care anywhere anytime, but that the industry is at an inflection point where adoption among the younger generations will drive demand among both consumers and young professionals entering the workforce,” said Randy Parker, founder and CEO of MDLIVE, in a press release.
According to the 2014 Mobile Health Index, 82 percent of those surveyed who have a doctor say consultations over a mobile device would be the best option for them. And nearly three in 10 (27 percent) said they'd give up something of value if it meant they'd always be able to access a doctor on a mobile device.
According to the survey, top reasons for postponing a visit to the doctor's office were:
- Can't take a day off from work (30 percent)
- Too expensive (25 percent)
- Takes too long to get an appointment (16 percent)
- Don't want to wait too long in the doctor's office (12 percent)
- Embarrassment about one's condition (7 percent)
- Too many germs in the doctor's office (6 percent)
- Uncomfortable discussing medical issues face-to-face (4 percent)
The survey also asked respondents what benefits would make telehealth a better option for them. The top answers were lowering the cost of a consultation (36 percent), eliminating waiting rooms and cancelled appointments (36 percent), shorter consultation times (34 percent), complete access to medical records (32 percent), doctors available at all times of the day (29 percent), access to a board-certified physician (24 percent) and the ability to have a more private consultation (14 percent).
When asked how doctors could make their healthcare visits easier, costs concerns rose to the top of the list, but mHealth finished a close second. Those surveyed recommended providing more affordable payment plans or options (28 percent), better collaboration with insurance companies on payment plans (26 percent), being available 24 hours a day (26 percent), providing quality care online (24 percent), making it easier to refer to a specialist (24 percent) and providing quality care via a mobile device (19 percent).
As for when they'd choose to use telehealth, 35 percent said they'd do it while on vacation, while 33 percent said they'd do it while in bed and 23 percent would do it while at work. In a nod to the growing interest in the connected automobile, 20 percent said they'd use telehealth while riding in a car.
As for what they'd give up for mHealth, of the 27 percent who'd consider making a sacrifice, 13 percent said they'd give up shopping for a month, 9 percent would skip their next vacation, 5 percent would skip showers for a week, 3 percent would forfeit a salary increase, and 1 percent would give up their significant other.
That may say more about the need for mHealth counseling than anything else.
