Generational Dynamics in Surgical Education

Behind The Knife: The Surgery Podcast

You're a new attending leading a busy surgical service. You’re tasked with teaching a team that includes every learner from medical students to junior and senior residents—all from different generations. How do you adapt your teaching style to effectively reach everyone? Dr. Abbey Fingeret, Endocrine Surgeon at University of Nebraska and passionate Surgical Educator, joins our host, Dr. Elizabeth Maginot, to explore strategies for engaging learners across generations and creating inclusive, dynamic teaching environments.

Hosts:

• Dr. Abbey Fingeret, MD, MHPTT, FACS: Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, Twitter: @DrFingeret
• Dr. Elizabeth Maginot, MD: General Surgery Resident and BTK Surgical Education Fellow, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Twitter: @e_magination95

Learning Objectives:
- Understand the defining characteristics of Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z, and how these traits influence their learning and teaching styles in medical education.
- Explore how to adapt teaching strategies for multigenerational learners by understanding and addressing their unique perceptions of education, feedback, and expectations in the clinical setting.
- Discuss methods to build a positive learning environment that fosters collaboration and inclusivity across all levels of trainees.
- Recognize the strengths and challenges different generations bring to medical education and how to leverage these to enhance team learning and patient care."
References
Stillman, D., & Stillman, J. (2017). Gen Z@ work: How the next generation is transforming the workplace. HarperCollins. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Stillman%2C+D.%2C+%26+Stillman%2C+J.+%282017%29.+Gen+Z%40+work%3A+How+the+next+generation+is+transforming+the+workplace.+HarperCollins.
Elmore, T., & McPeak, A. (2019). Generation Z unfiltered: Facing nine hidden challenges of the most anxious population. Poet Gardener Publishing.
Twenge, J. M. (2023). Generations: The Real Differences Between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers, and Silents—and What They Mean for America's Future. Simon and Schuster.
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