The Wonder Years Redux: Busting Generational Myths in Digital Health - Capability, Motivation, and Context for Better Tech Adoption

In this episode of Tech It To The Limit, hosts Sarah Harper and Elliot Wilson revisit generational myths in digital health and reveal why age isn’t the real barrier to adoption. Through their new game, Fact Check Fever, and a deep dive into the Capability-Motivation-Context (CMC) framework, they show how design, usability, and trust matter far more than birth year. From busting stereotypes to exploring how health systems can design with users, not for them, it’s a witty, insightful look at the future of inclusive, human-centered innovation.

Key Takeaways

• Generational myths don’t hold up: Boomers use portals, Gen Z cares about privacy, and every group struggles with clunky design, not just “digital natives.”

• Design trumps demographics: Adoption isn’t about age, it’s about usability, accessibility, and human-centered design.

• Follow the CMC framework: Capability, motivation, and context, not birth year, to predict whether people engage with health tech.

• Health equity requires intention: Neutral AI does not exist; equity has to be actively built into technology.

• The biggest unifier isn’t age: A diagnosis, condition, or shared health journey brings people together across generations more than labels like Boomer or Gen Z.

In this episode:

• [00:00:13] Welcome & episode introduction
• [00:00:55] Recap of Mayo Clinic live show
• [00:02:36] Looking ahead to HLTH: speakers, tracks, and the health tech “fashion week” vibe
• [00:05:08] Conference tracks & awards
• 00:07:13] Launching Fact Check Fever: busting myths on portals, EHR burnout, Gen Z TikTok habits, and more
• [00:07:37] Fact Check Fever: generational myths & data
• [00:19:24] Break for fake sponsor: Patient Portal Plus Plus
• [00:20:44] Sincere segment: CMC framework for health tech adoption
• [00:22:24] Deep dive: CMC framework explained
• [00:31:17] Designing with, not for, users
• [00:35:31] Break for fake sponsor: Bias Focals
• [00:37:14] Spicy Nugs: co-host lightning round
• [00:46:41] Closing thoughts, HLTH call-to-action, and Elliot’s health tech haiku

Resources

Tech It To The Limit Podcast

• Website
• Apple Podcast

Sarah Harper

• LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahbethharper

Elliott Wilson

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewelliottwilson