Objective: To investigate the preferences different generational groups (i.e. Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Generation X-ers, and Millennials) have towards healthcare with regards to time management.

Background: Each generation is known to carry characteristic core values and common perspectives. Identifying trends in generational preferences concerning time management in health care may help clinicians improve their approach to treatment, care, and communication with patients.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was completed by 230 patients from various generations in a movement disorders clinic regardless of diagnosis. The survey consisted of a questionnaire that inquired about basic demographic information and various healthcare preferences which were measured on a five-point Likert scale. A series of proportional odds models was used to evaluate the generational differences in odds of agreement with survey items.

Results: The sample included 53% female and 92% white, with an average age of 57.4 (SD 18.2). The majority of patients preferred their physicians to respond to messages in a timely fashion, with patients in Generation X having 2.5 times the odds of reporting stronger preference over Traditionalists (95% CI 1.07-5.71, p = .034). Only a small subset of patients (<6%) indicated strongly their understanding when their doctor arrives late to their scheduled appointment. However, no clear generational differences were observed in the survey responses. The majority of respondents appreciated their doctors spending at least 30 minutes to explain treatment options, but also showed preference for concise explanations with regards to illnesses and treatment plans. Neither aspect showed generational differences.

Conclusions: Regarding patients’ preferences on time in health care setting, Generation Xers exhibited a stronger preference for timely response to messages compared to Traditionalists. More importantly, regardless of generation, patients did not appreciate their doctors arriving late to their scheduled appointments, and most preferred their clinicians to be concise in their explanations of diagnosis and treatment options.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/approaching-health-care-shaped-by-generational-expectations-the-age-study-generational-perspective-related-to-time/