Bridging the generation gap in the workplace: how I learned to stop worrying and love working with the millennial generation

Preferred Feedback Styles Among Different Groups in an Academic Medical Center

INTRODUCTION

Feedback is an essential component in complex work environments. Different generations have been shown to have different sets of values, derived from societal and cultural changes. We hypothesize that generational differences may be associated with preferred feedback patterns among medical trainees and faculty in a large academic institution.

METHODS

A survey was distributed to all students, residents/fellows, and faculty at a large academic medical institution from April 2020 through June 2020. Survey questions evaluated feedback methods for six domains: preparedness, performance, attitude, technical procedures, inpatient, and outpatient care. Participants selected a preferred feedback method for each category. Patient demographics and survey responses were described using frequency statistics. We compared differences in feedback preferences based on generation and field of practice.

RESULTS

A total of 871 participants completed the survey. Preferred feedback patterns in the medical field do not seem to align with sociologic theories of generational gaps. Most participants preferred to receive direct feedback after an activity away from their team, irrespective of their age or medical specialty. Individuals preferred direct feedback during an activity in front of their team only for technical procedures. Compared to nonsurgeons, surgeons were more likely to prefer direct feedback in front of team members for preparedness, performance, and attitude.

CONCLUSIONS

Generational membership is not significantly associated with preferred feedback patterns in this complex medical academic environment. Variations in feedback preferences are associated with field of practice that may be due to specialty-specific differences in culture and personality traits present within certain medical specialties, particularly surgery.

Generation mix and GDP growth in OECD countries

This study investigates whether generation diversity in workforce can influence economic growth. Using a panel data of 37 OECD countries over the years 1979–2019, it is found that the effect of generation diversity on economic growth depends on the development level of a country. Essentially, the generation diversity has a positive impact on economic growth in developed countries, but a negative impact on economic growth in developing countries.

Generation gap and its impact on economic growth

Workers of different generations often complain about one another as their opinions, values, attitudes, and approaches to work differ. This might lead to a reduction in labor productivity that can negatively impact the economic growth of any nation. In this paper, we used generation mix indices to analyze whether generation gap has any impact on economic growth. Using Thailand's data between 1961 to 2019, we found that when generations were intensely mixed, economic growth did suffer.