Evaluation of generational influences among 4th year pharmacy students and experiential preceptors

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence generational categories may have on commonalities among pharmacy students and their pharmacist preceptors during advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs).

Multiple-choice surveys aimed at evaluating generational characteristics were sent to pharmacy students and their preceptors during the first three APPEs. Questions focused on six key areas: preferred learning/teaching style, view of career/work, communication style, view of technology, life outlook, and personal characteristics. Each response corresponded to a generational category (Veteran, Baby Boomer, Generation X, Millennial). Students and preceptors were instructed to apply each question to themselves; students then applied each question to their preceptor, while preceptors applied the questions to students.

Twenty-six percent of students and 35% of preceptors completed at least one generational survey. Students selected the option that corresponded to their actual generational category significantly more often compared to preceptors (2.133 ± 0.815 vs. 1.632 ± 1.132, p = 0.007). Although none of the respondents belonged to the Veteran category, responses corresponding to this generation represented the second highest number of responses selected by students and preceptors alike.

Students and preceptors identified with characteristics outside their actual generational category. In addition, both groups selected options such as working to make a difference that may correlate more with people who have chosen pharmacy as a profession. Pharmacist awareness of generational similarities may lead to a more successful student-preceptor relationship.