A Cross-Sectional Survey on Generation Z Physicians: Professional Value, Educational Expectations, and Work Environment Preferences

Generation Z (Gen Z) physicians, born between the mid-1990s and the mid-2010s, bring unique professional values and expectations to clinical practice shaped by technological and socioeconomic changes. This study explored these aspects of Gen Z physicians in Japan. A cross-sectional survey focusing on professional values, job-related training, supervisor attitudes, and work environments was conducted among first-year to third-year physicians in Japan. The participants were categorized into the Gen Z (≤29 years old) and non-Gen Z groups. Wilcoxon rank-sum tests identified significant differences between the groups. Of the 429 respondents, 391 were Gen Z members. They value job satisfaction, work for the benefit of others, embrace new challenges, and desire immediate feedback. Notable differences between Gen Z and non-Gen Z members were observed based on median Likert scale scores (1 = strongly agree and 5 = strongly disagree). Specifically, Gen Z physicians more strongly agreed that work is primarily a means to earn money for their personal life (median of Gen Z = 2 {interquartile range {IQR}: 2-3} versus non-Gen Z = 2.5 {IQR: 2-4}; p < 0.01), preferred working as a team rather than individually (median of Gen Z = 2 {IQR: 2-3} versus non-Gen Z = 3 {IQR: 2-4}; p = 0.02), and desired immediate feedback (median of Gen Z = 1 {IQR: 1-2} versus non-Gen Z = 2 {IQR: 1-2}; p < 0.01). They also showed a stronger preference for proactive communication from supervisors (median of Gen Z = 2 {IQR: 1-2} versus non-Gen Z = 2 {IQR: 2-3}; p < 0.01), chat-based workplace communication (median of Gen Z = 2 {IQR: 1-3} versus non-Gen Z = 3 {IQR: 2-4}; p = 0.01), cooperation over competition with peers (median of Gen Z = 2 {IQR: 1-2} versus non-Gen Z = 2 {IQR: 2-3}; p = 0.01), and socializing with colleagues of the same age (median of Gen Z = 2 {IQR: 1-3} versus non-Gen Z = 2 {IQR: 2-3}; p = 0.04). Japanese Gen Z physicians prioritize internal motivation, economic stability, immediate feedback, digital technological integration, and collaborative work environments. These findings necessitate adapted approaches to medical education and workplace settings that align with the distinct outlook of Gen Z.