The Healthcare Future for the iGeneration: Integrating the Patient and the Healthcare System

Abstract

Abstract

A mixed methods study of Canadian adolescents’ perceptions of health

“…Indeed, for both the Millennials and the iGeneration, most of life is customized much of the time. Wood et al, ( 2013 ) reflect on characteristics of this generation in the realm of healthcare, writing: “If music, television, advertising, and internet search engines can be customized and available in a click or a tap, then the same expectation will be placed upon healthcare” (p. 1). On reflection, it is no surprise then that our qualitative participants reported the expectation of a customized ideal of health, which was reflected over and over again by statements such as “Health is different for everyone.” These statements also reflect the trend in this population group toward inclusivity (Jonas-Dwyer & Pospisil, 2004 ).…”

“…Collectively, they represent the tail end of a generation that Howe and Strauss ( 2009 ) coined “the millennial generation” (born between 1989 and 2000) and that Crampton and Hodge ( 2006 ) refer to as Generation Y. They are also on the cusp of what Rosen ( 2011 ) and Wood et al, ( 2013 ) refer to as the “iGeneration,” which encompasses young people born in the 1990s and beyond. Both Rosen ( 2011 ) and Wood et al, ( 2013 ) note that the “i” represents not only the type of technologies with which these young people engage (iPhones, iPads, and iTunes) but also the highly individualized activities that these technologies make possible.…”

“…They are also on the cusp of what Rosen ( 2011 ) and Wood et al, ( 2013 ) refer to as the “iGeneration,” which encompasses young people born in the 1990s and beyond. Both Rosen ( 2011 ) and Wood et al, ( 2013 ) note that the “i” represents not only the type of technologies with which these young people engage (iPhones, iPads, and iTunes) but also the highly individualized activities that these technologies make possible. In this study, we describe our participant population as “Millennials.” We recognize that there are limitations to this label, and that others would potentially apply a different name to this population.…”