Philips’ Future Health Index 2020 report reveals new insights into younger doctors’ commitment to improving healthcare during COVID-19

• 61% of younger doctors ranked telehealth as the digital health technology that would have most improved their experiences during COVID-19, overtaking artificial intelligence (AI) (53%)
• 47% of younger doctors reported greater appreciation from patients; 44% experienced greater collaboration with colleagues across different skill sets
• Only 9% of younger doctors surveyed are more likely to leave medicine as a result of their experiences during COVID-19, while over one third (38%) are more likely to stay

“Healthcare professionals, including the younger generation, have experienced unprecedented levels of stress and were often faced with limited resources in recent months. We must acknowledge the heroic sacrifices that frontline healthcare professionals have endured in the fight against COVID-19. We owe it to them to listen to their voices as we consider the future of the healthcare industry,” said Jan Kimpen, Chief Medical Officer, Royal Philips. “Our FHI Insights survey reveals that despite the challenges they’ve faced, younger doctors are as committed as ever to their vocation. The research spotlights how young doctors perceive change, and is relevant to leaders focused on reshaping how healthcare is being organized and delivered.”

Telehealth overtakes AI in the eyes of younger doctors

The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted younger doctors to change their attitudes to the relative benefits of different health technologies. It has led to a shift in priorities, with younger doctors recognizing the immediate value of telehealth. Before the pandemic, 60% of younger healthcare professionals ranked AI as the top digital health technology that would most improve their work satisfaction, with 39% identifying telehealth as the top technology. 61% of younger doctors now rank telehealth as the digital health technology that would have most improved their experiences at this time, with AI falling to 53%.

Younger doctors surveyed believed that there is room for improvement in how these technologies are used in everyday practice. When asked what would have helped them leverage the health data available to them during the height of the pandemic, nearly half (47%) of younger doctors pointed to better integration of healthcare data between hospitals/practices and between different IT systems or electronic medical records. 

Many younger doctors are more committed than ever to their careers

The pandemic is presenting healthcare professionals with even greater workplace hardships and moral dilemmas, which are very likely to exacerbate existing levels of burnout and related mental health problems [1]. However, according to the FHI 2020 Insights survey, many younger doctors (38%) say they are more likely to stay in medicine as a result of their experiences working during COVID-19. Most (53%) said COVID-19 had no effect on them wanting to stay in or leave the profession, and only 9% said they were more likely to leave the profession.

Many younger doctors also reported changes in their day-to-day work during the pandemic, which could lead to increased career and personal satisfaction. 47% reported greater appreciation from patients, while 44% experienced greater collaboration with colleagues across different skill sets. Younger doctors in China stood out by reporting a deeper feeling of purpose at work (70%) since the onset of COVID-19. 

Since 2016, Philips has conducted original research to help determine the readiness of countries to address global health challenges and build efficient and effective healthcare systems. For details on the Future Health Index methodology and to access the 2020 report in its entirety, including the FHI Insights: COVID-19 and Young Healthcare Professionals research, visit the Future Health Index site.

[1] National Academy of Medicine: https://nam.edu/initiatives/clinician-resilience-and-well-being/clinician-well-being-resources-during-covid-19/

Research methodology

The Future Health Index Insights: COVID-19 and Younger Healthcare Professionals survey was fielded from June 19 to July 30, 2020 in 5 countries (China, France, Germany, Singapore and the United States of America) in their native language. The survey was conducted online and offline (as relevant to the needs of each country) with a sample size of 100 per country for doctors under 40 years old, who have completed their first medical degree. The survey length was approximately 10 minutes. The total sample from the survey includes 500 doctors under 40 years old.