Needs and wishes of Gen Z medical students: a prospective cross sectional single center study

Generation Z (Gen Z) is now entering the labor market with new expectations from their employers. In the healthcare sector, particularly in hospitals and medical practices, employers must adapt to the needs of this young generation to succeed. We assessed the wishes and expectations of Gen Z employees in medicine with regard to their motivational status, learning behavior, work-life balance, and career plans. We also considered the challenges these expectations present to employers.

Fourth-year medical students were recruited for participation in this study. Study participation was voluntary and anonymous. Participants were questioned on their expectations using an evaluation questionnaire with either dichotomous or multiple-response options. The participants' answers were analyzed using a five-point Likert scale.

A total of 137 fourth-year medical students participated in this study. The mean participant age was 23 years. The most common reasons for studying medicine were a desire to help others (69%) and having a secure job later on (63%). The participants also favored online learning tools over medical books. Regarding the preferred specialty after their examination, 39% of students wanted to go into surgery and 23% wanted to go into anesthesia. Participants considered the most important work attributes to be satisfaction (96%) and fulfillment (94%), while having power (11%) and doing research (24%) were considered the least important.

This study reveals how Gen Z medical students have a different mindset to their work than students from earlier generations did, with distinct visions of their professional future. As a result, employers and medical educators face new expectations and demands from their staff and students. To meet the needs of Gen Z students, medical teaching methods must be rethought and adapted as necessary.