[Generation 55+: leadership and motivation of generations in hospitals]

Demographic changes in Germany are leading towards a decrease of the population from the current 82 million to 74 million in the year 2050. As a consequence the shortage of qualified staff will be aggravated and intensifying recruiting efforts will increase competition among employers. An alternative is to utilize the potential of jobholders older than 55 years, the so-called generation 55 +. However, little is known about the hospital workforce generation 55 +.

An internet search was conducted using google.de, yahoo.de and altavista.de for "generation 55 + and medicine" and "demographics, personnel and hospital" In Medline/pubmed a search was conducted for the key words "aging workforce" (949 sources) and in combination with AND "doctors" (134 sources), "demographic changes", "staff" (794 sources) as well as for "generation 55 + AND doctors" (312 sources). Finally, sources from reputable public institutions and academic medical societies were analyzed. The data were sorted by main categories and relevance for hospitals. Statistical analysis was done mainly using descriptive measures.

From initially more than 530,000 sources, a total of 289 studies and reports on the topic were plotted. There was no evidence for a negative correlation between age and work ability or fitness. Jobholders senior to 55 years can be divided into the "economic miracle generation" and into the so-called baby-boomers. Both groups have differences in values, communication needs and leadership requirements. They jointly prefer direct communication and seek appreciation for their experience on the job.

Generation 55 + is not asking for an upscaled position in hospitals. They expect respect and appreciation for their sound experience of work and life. Generation 55 + wants to be integrated and sought after. Keeping these employees fit, motivated and qualified is a sound approach to fight the foreseeable shortage of qualified staff in hospitals.