Millennials have a reputation for being health-conscious — one of their many nicknames is “the wellness generation.” Their preference for online, self-service scheduling is also nearly universal. As millennials and Gen X patients grow into the next major market for healthcare providers, it’s crucial for providers to meet them where they are.
When it comes to booking medical visits, this means offering online options, particularly for mobile devices. Smartphone ownership has almost tripled over the past decade; the average American spends about four and a half hours on their phone each day, checking that device 144 times while they’re awake. Those numbers can sound concerning to healthcare professionals, but they speak to the ease and convenience we’ve come to expect for managing our busy schedules. Providers who neglect booking options for mobile devices risk falling behind.
Recent Zocdoc data show that 2 in 3 bookings are now made from mobile devices, up from roughly half in 2018. 
Furthermore, patients who book on mobile are “stickier,” meaning they tend to book more appointments overall: In 2022, mobile users booked around 20 percent more appointments than their desktop computer-using counterparts.
The data is even more persuasive when it comes to appointments made through mobile apps. Patients who booked through the Zocdoc app scheduled a full 66 percent more appointments in 2022 than desktop users.
For today’s patient, a better online booking experience with mobile is a must. For providers looking to meet patients’ demands for seamless booking via mobile, Zocdoc is the simple, trusted solution for both sides of the healthcare equation.