Currently, healthcare systems around the world are facing serious labour crises, significant shortages, and unequal geographical distribution of doctors. One of the key issues in maintaining an adequate health workforce is young graduates’ choice of medical specialty. Their career choices substantially influence the future balance between different medical specialties. To better align the choices of young doctors with the needs of the healthcare system, we have to understand the differences between doctors who are already working and those who are only just starting.
Three generations currently dominate the population of doctors in the workforce: the baby boomers (born 1945–1964), generation X (born 1965–1979), and generation Y (millennials: born 1980–1994). Each generation brings its characteristics to the medical profession. The baby boomers are known for working long hours and viewing medicine as a tireless vocation, while generations X and Y are more tech-savvy, value mobility, and prioritize work-life balance.
Doctors currently entering the healthcare labour market (generation Z) were born between the late 1990s and early 2010s. This generation, also known as‘Gen-Z’, differs significantly from older generations in many ways. Gen-Z individuals were born into a world of widespread access to information, largely due to the internet. They are proficient in using modern technologies, more focused on achieving a healthy work-life balance, and are more open to change in their lives compared to the generations of their parents and grandparentts. However, they do not accept the current state of workplace culture and working hours. They strongly desire a life-work balance, flexibility in working conditions, and collaboration in the workplace.
Although they have chosen a medical career, many young healthcare professionals report that their expectations are not being met, especially concerning non-clinical tasks, including the administrative burden. They understand that the success of future healthcare systems is closely linked to the implementation of new technologies, recognizing its potential to reduce administrative workload and work-related stress. Besides salary, autonomy, collaboration, and technology play a crucial role in selecting a workplace (hospital or practice). To attract and retain this younger generation, healthcare organisations need to focus on team collaboration, a friendly working atmosphere, and adapt their work organisation practices accordingly.
In Poland, many specialties are experiencing a ‘generation gap, which requires well-thought-out decisions to compensate for the forthcoming crisis that would become even more serious if doctors at retirement age were to stop working.
This article aimed to provide evidence on the factors that drive young doctors to choose their future specialties, presenting differences between those applying for non-surgical specialties and those applying for surgical ones.
Doctors currently entering the healthcare labour market (generation Z) were born between the late 1990s and early 2010s. This generation, also known as‘Gen-Z’, differs significantly from older generations in many ways. Gen-Z individuals were born into a world of widespread access to information, largely due to the internet. They are proficient in using modern technologies, more focused on achieving a healthy work-life balance, and are more open to change in their lives compared to the generations of their parents and grandparentts. However, they do not accept the current state of workplace culture and working hours. They strongly desire a life-work balance, flexibility in working conditions, and collaboration in the workplace.
Although they have chosen a medical career, many young healthcare professionals report that their expectations are not being met, especially concerning non-clinical tasks, including the administrative burden. They understand that the success of future healthcare systems is closely linked to the implementation of new technologies, recognizing its potential to reduce administrative workload and work-related stress. Besides salary, autonomy, collaboration, and technology play a crucial role in selecting a workplace (hospital or practice). To attract and retain this younger generation, healthcare organisations need to focus on team collaboration, a friendly working atmosphere, and adapt their work organisation practices accordingly.
In Poland, many specialties are experiencing a ‘generation gap, which requires well-thought-out decisions to compensate for the forthcoming crisis that would become even more serious if doctors at retirement age were to stop working.
This article aimed to provide evidence on the factors that drive young doctors to choose their future specialties, presenting differences between those applying for non-surgical specialties and those applying for surgical ones.
photo Jordi Soldevila. Màcules de Barcelona. Màcula simple del carrer Escorial
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