In 2024, millions of patients turned to Zocdoc to find healthcare providers across every state and specialty, booking appointments instantly online. Every click revealed patient preferences, including for ob-gyn care — one of the most sought-after specialties. In fact, ob-gyn was the third most-booked specialty in 2024.
By analyzing these patient behaviors, we uncovered powerful insights to help practices better support their patients. Here’s what Zocdoc data revealed about ob-gyn patients in 2024.
Who was looking for new ob-gyn providers?
Zocdoc ob-gyn patients skewed younger
In 2024, just over half (52%) of Zocdoc ob-gyn patients were Millennials (ages 27-42). Nearly a third (31%) were Gen Z (ages 18-26). Capturing these patients early in their care journey proved crucial, especially as many entered life stages such as pregnancy that required more frequent visits.
They sought long-term relationships
Patients seeking ob-gyn care in 2024 valued trust and continuity, especially during big life events (hello, baby). Over 80% of Zocdoc’s ob-gyn patients rebooked with the same provider, making them one of the most loyal patient groups. This loyalty translated to higher lifetime revenue, as patients consistently returned for annual exams, contraception, and other follow-ups.
When did they want to see ob-gyn providers?
Patients prioritized speed to care
In 2024, 7 out of 10 appointments occurred within 8 days of booking — far sooner than the national average wait time of 31.4 days.*
*According to the 2022 Survey of Physician Appointment Wait Times
Booking flexibility was essential
Nearly a third of patients booked ob-gyn appointments from 5 p.m. to 9 a.m. when the office is typically closed. This highlighted the importance of offering online self-scheduling to remain competitive and meet patient needs.
They wanted to get in early
The busiest booking days were Mondays and Tuesdays, with 10 a.m. being the most popular time slot. January was the busiest month for bookings, followed by March.
How did they choose ob-gyn providers?
Insurance drove decisions
In 2024, 7 out of 10 ob-gyn patients booked with a commercial insurance plan, and 9 out of 10 chose in-network providers. For those booking out-of-network or without insurance, popular visit reasons included hormone pellet therapy, urogynecology consultations, and pregnancy nutrition checkups.
Mobile led the way
62% of ob-gyn appointments were booked via mobile device, a number that continues to increase year-over-year, and underscores the importance of meeting patients where and how they’re searching.
Reviews and office photos mattered
Patients consistently favored providers with more positive reviews and professional office photos. Relative to ob-gyn providers with one to nine reviews, those with 10 to 29 reviews saw 2.6x as many bookings on average. While many platforms allow anyone to write a review, Zocdoc promotes trust by only publishing reviews from verified patients.
Similarly, providers with one or more office photos got 2x as many bookings compared to providers who didn’t show off their office space.
Provider gender played a role
Female ob-gyns received 60% more bookings on average than their male colleagues.
Listing hospital affiliation (when applicable) boosted bookings
Ob-gyn providers who included their hospital affiliation on Zocdoc saw 1.3x more bookings than those who did not.
Why were they looking for new ob-gyn providers?
Routine needs and common concerns were top of mind
The most-booked visit reasons included annual pap smears / GYN exams, ob-gyn consultations, and birth control / contraception.
Where did they want to see ob-gyn providers?
Patients wanted to stay close to home, regardless of visit type
In 2024, 4 out of 5 in-person visits took place within 20 miles. For virtual visits, just over half were within 20 miles.
Looking back at 2024
From prioritizing quick access and long-term relationships to favoring providers with trustworthy reviews, ob-gyn patients made their expectations clear. Understanding these trends and how you can meet patients’ unique needs can position your practice for further growth in 2025. Consult with an enterprise sales representative to learn more about how Zocdoc can grow your business.