Millennials in Medicine: A New Generation Comes to Medical School

1. Millennials in Medicine: A New Generation Comes to Medical School Carol Elam, Ed.D. Associate Dean for Admissions and Institutional Advancement Professor, Department of Behavioral Science Director of Medical Education Research University of Kentucky College of Medicine Nicole Borges, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Department of Community Health Director, Medical Education Research Boonshoft School of Medicine Wright State University

2. Impressions of Current Medical StudentsQuestions to Ponder: • Name 3 positive qualities, attributes, orattitudes you see in current medical students. • Name 3 negative qualities, attributes, or attitudes you see in current medical students. • Have medical students changed over the past few years?

3. A Generation Is… • Born over a 20 year time period • Shaped by common history -Icons -Events and Conditions • Known for its persona

4. Generational Cohorts G.I. Generation (1901-1924) Loyal and patriotic Silent Generation (1925-1942) Conforming Boom Generation (1943-1960) Idealistic and competitive

5. Generational Cohorts Generation X (1961-1981) Skeptical and independent The Millennials (1982-2002) Realistic and collaborative

6. Who are the Millennial Students? Born from 1982-2002 Children of the Baby Boomers Included in family decision-making Accustomed to standing up for themselves Have developed problem-solving ability Told they are special Confident and “bred for success”

7. Who are the Millennial Students? Sheltered Used to following the rules Pressured to excel Balance school, hobbies, sports, & service activities Most educated generation May work to resolve societal problems Next “Greatest Generation”

8. Other Defining Positive Qualities • Techno-savvy -Internet -Personal Pagers -Cell phones -Computers • Team-oriented with strong team instincts and peer bonds • Polite and respectful of others

9. Potential Twists • Trust in institutions at local level Expectations for accountability; consumerist attitudes • Trust in parents Strong parental influence / interference • Have lived with diversity Appreciate cultural differences with individuals from diverse backgrounds May feel problems associated with race/diversity have been addressed and resolved

10. Potential Twists • Reliance on technology in communication with friends Less skill in one-to-one communication • Multi-taskers Shortened attention span Lack of introspective ability

11. Previous Educational Experiences • Structured curriculum with emphasis on basics • Rote teaching and learning • Measures of objective progress, computer scored examinations • Prefer math and science to humanities, art, and history • Emphasis on educational achievement, good grades

12. Questions to Consider: • What consideration is given to factors such as race, socioeconomic status, or country of birth? • To what extent do presentations such as this overgeneralize group characteristics and perpetuate stereotyping? • What data are available to document the differences between Generation X and Millennial students?

13. Medical School Millennial Students: A Comparison with Generation X’ers(Borges, Manuel, Jones and Elam, 2006) • 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire • Compared responses of 399 females and 410 males enrolled between 1989 and 2004 (n=809) • 68% were Generation X students • 32% were Millennial students

14. Sixteen Personality Factors

15. Millennials will score higher on: Warmth Rule Consciousness Sensitivity Emotional Stability Perfectionism Generation X will score higher on: Dominance Vigilance Privateness Openness to Change Self-Reliance Hypothesis:Higher Scoring Patterns

16. Millennials did score higher on: Warmth Rule Consciousness Sensitivity Emotional Stability Perfectionism Generation X did score higher on: Dominance Vigilance Privateness Openness to Change Self-Reliance Findings:Higher Scoring Patterns

17. Millennials also scored higher on: Reasoning Social Boldness Apprehension No differences: Liveliness Abstractedness Tension Other Factors:Not included in the Hypotheses

18. Findings and Implications Millennials scored higher on scales as expected; Generation X students did not...Why? • No real differences • Need to refine aspects of the theories • Students in medical school are different • Effect of “cuspars”

19. Questions to Consider: • What are the millennials’ needs in the learning environment? • What are the implications for changing the teaching-learning relationship? • What should our institutions do to prepare for and respond to these students?

20. Challenges when Communicating with Millennial Generation • Sense of entitlement -want value, accountability • Complaining to the top, not going through proper channels -want suggestions/concerns to be heard • Unrealistic expectations about how to achieve goals -may need guidance from mentors/senior students; may not seek help • Pressured overachievers… -want balance in life yet are overextended and overwhelmed

21. Challenges in Educating the Millennial Generation • Not inclined to self-explore - May need help with reflective exercises/practices • Susceptible to academic dishonesty - Be clear about policies, and consistent in application of student progress/ honor code rules • Technology (cell calls, email, instant messaging) may have stunted communication skills – particularly in confrontational situations - Monitor development of communication skills

22. Factors that May Contribute to Attitudes/Behaviors of Millennial Students • Parental Involvement • Increasing Tuition and Debt • Contact with Other Medical Students • Internet • Service and Service Learning Exposure • Selection Factors

23. Opportunities for Curriculum Development • Team learning • Promote cooperative and interprofessional learning opportunities • Real world applications • Technology innovations • Promote new applications of technology • Diversity experts • Tap into understanding of culture, ethnicity • Community and civic spirit • Support and empower community service and real world problem solving

24. References • Neil Howe & William Strauss, Millennials Rising: The Next Great Generation. Vintage Books: New York, 2000. • Lynne Lancaster & David Stillman, When Generations Collide: Who They Are. Why They Clash. How to Solve the Generational Puzzle at Work. Harper Business: New York, 2002. • R Zemke, C. Raines, B. Filipczak, Generations at Work: Managing the Class of Veterans, Boomers, Xers, and Nexters in Your Workplace. New York: American Management Assoc., 2000.