A new data-backed report by ekincare uncovers a decisive change in India’s preventive healthcare landscape, placing diagnostic centres ahead of hospitals in both preference and performance.

According to the “Diagnostics vs Hospitals: Preventive Health Report 2025” by ekincare, a staggering 82% of individuals now opt for diagnostic centres for preventive checkups, signalling a critical industry shift driven by speed, service quality, and convenience.

The report, derived from over 30,000 respondents across 300+ Indian cities, including metros and tier-1 locations, reveals a steady trend: today’s health-conscious consumer is choosing decentralised, tech-integrated diagnostic services over traditional hospital settings.

“This signals a structural realignment in how preventive healthcare is being accessed. Modern consumers expect efficiency and transparency, and diagnostic centres are meeting those demands better than hospitals,” said Kiran Kalakuntla, CEO & Founder of ekincare.

Key Insights for the Healthcare Industry

• Faster Turnaround Times: 71% of diagnostic reports were delivered within 48 hours, compared to only 47% in hospitals.
• Fewer Report Corrections: Diagnostic labs reported 30% fewer inaccuracies in test results than hospitals.
• Superior Patient Experience: 81% of diagnostic visits received 4-star or higher ratings, with significantly fewer complaints around wait times and staff conduct.
• Geographic Strength:
  • Mumbai: 95% of preventive checkups occurred at diagnostic centres.
  • Hyderabad: Diagnostic labs scored 94% higher in staff behaviour and 74% better in hygiene.
  • Delhi-NCR: 87% of diagnostic reports were timely, compared to 38% from hospitals, with 70% fewer wait-time complaints.
  • Pune: Staff-related concerns at diagnostic centres were reported at just 0.7%, versus 6.3% in hospitals.

These findings have profound implications for hospital administrators, diagnostic networks, insurance partners, and corporate wellness providers. The increasing trust in diagnostic labs reflects a new consumer mindset, one that values autonomy, real-time insights, and streamlined experiences.

For industry players in the healthcare ecosystem, this trend offers both a challenge and an opportunity. Hospitals must adapt by reducing turnaround times and improving patient engagement, while diagnostics providers have a clear mandate to scale, digitise further, and maintain service excellence.

ekincare: Shaping Preventive Healthcare

As a leading digital health benefits platform, ekincare continues to bridge gaps between employers and healthcare providers. Through its AI-powered ecosystem, the platform supports over 1.5 million users across 900+ organisations, including corporate giants like Target, Flipkart, and Allstate.

Their comprehensive offering, spanning teleconsultations, e-pharmacy, mental wellness, and predictive analytics, has positioned them at the forefront of India’s preventive healthcare revolution.

Also read: Samsung Electronics Acquires Xealth to Expand Connected Care Ecosystem

India’s diagnostic centres are no longer supplementary care providers; they are becoming the frontline enablers of proactive health management. For businesses and healthcare institutions, aligning with this shift is not just strategic, it’s essential for future-ready care delivery.

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