There is a generational shift occurring in the way health information and care is sought, comprehended, and provided, propelled by Gen Z. They are the inaugural generation of digital natives and the first to reap the full benefits of the Affordable Care Act, which has halved the uninsured rate for 19- to 25-year-olds, enhancing access to preventive care services.

However, as they step into adulthood and take charge of their own health care, this generation is also anticipated to arrive at the doctor’s office after conducting their own online research regarding their condition and treatment. Furthermore, upon visiting a provider, 45 percent of adults aged 18 to 34 are opting to favor information shared by family or friends over their provider’s counsel.

**Gen Z’s DIY approach to health care**

According to a survey, fifty-six percent of Gen Z utilize TikTok for advice on wellness, diet, and fitness, considering it their main source of health information. Rapid, free, and straightforward access to information are among the primary reasons Gen Z turns to social media platforms for guidance.

Simultaneously, our traditional health care framework can render navigating the patient experience quite challenging. In fact, 61 percent of Americans already find the health care system cumbersome and lacking a personal touch. It is not surprising that as younger patients wish for swift, convenient care access, they will increasingly handle non-emergent issues independently and mold their own vision of health care.

For instance, one study indicated that 44 percent of Americans self-diagnose mental health issues such as anxiety, ADHD, or OCD instead of pursuing professional help.

**Health care where and when they want it**

Health care in 2025 appears quite different for Gen Z, and even millennials, than it does for their parents or grandparents. Patients desire quick answers and do not want to leave their long-awaited consultations with unresolved questions. Consequently, while telehealth and retail clinics were present prior to COVID-19, they have now become a permanent and integral aspect of Gen Z’s health care landscape for quick and convenient access to care.

A new study revealed that 30 percent of Gen Z had their most recent health care visit conducted remotely and led all age groups in utilizing urgent care. This level of convenience and choice is advantageous, but it also signifies a growing necessity for a unified, cohesive framework for health care information so that providers can avoid conflicting evidence and decision-making.

**Rewriting the rules of patient engagement**

As patients take on a more active role in their health care, our industry must evolve to embrace this new age of consumer empowerment. It is remarkable to witness the increasing willingness among the general population to engage proactively in their health. Health care providers would be wise to welcome this enthusiasm rather than dismiss their curiosity, which may necessitate a cultural transformation within our workforce.

Indeed, a recent survey of health care professionals shows that consumerism is anticipated to hasten change in the upcoming years, with 70 percent of respondents acknowledging that addressing evolving patient expectations is impacting their organization.

With this transformation, we should acknowledge that patients should not merely be at the center of their own care. Rather, they ought to be incorporated into the broader care team, where health care professionals collaborate with them throughout their care journeys.

Envision a patient arriving for an appointment, whether physically present or virtual, with their own lab results, research, and possibly a self-diagnosis or treatment plan they formulated with ChatGPT. For providers, this presents a prime opportunity to educate them about their findings, ultimately redefining the physician/patient relationship and ensuring safety.

This could also be a chance to encourage health care providers to inform patients about the evidence-based content and tools being utilized in practice, especially as research indicates that 60 percent of health care professionals believe generative AI will enhance the patient experience, and 41 percent think that ambient listening will enrich the patient-provider relationship.

**The future is collaborative**

Health care professionals have the opportunity to meet patients where they are. This means being receptive and attentive to the information patients present—whether derived from TikTok or Apple’s AI health coach—and offering them the same vetted resources that doctors depend on to inform medical decisions.

With the rise of AI partnerships and digital health, these evidence-based resources are increasingly accessible to patients through their patient portal or local pharmacy. Taking the time to guide patients through these materials can foster a new level of trust and collaboration, making patients feel acknowledged and more likely to remain engaged in their health and adhere to treatment and clinical guidelines.

It is up to our health care providers and system leaders to decide the direction. Will you choose to be supportive or skeptical? Our profession must accept the change and select the path that will aid in restoring the patient/provider relationship that previous generations experienced.

Gen Z does not wish to remain on the sidelines of