The impact of ‘Generation Y’ occupational therapy students on practice education

Caroline Hills · Susan Ryan · Derek Richard SMITH · Helen M. Warren‐Forward

64 citations0/0 files storedAustralian Occupational Therapy Journal

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Generational Differences and Trends Innovations in Medical Education Occupational Therapy Practice and Research

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIM: Many occupational therapy students can be classified as 'Generation Y', a group whose characteristics are perceived as being confident, optimistic and 'techno-savvy'. This study aimed to explore practice educator perceptions of 'Generation Y' students. METHODS: A questionnaire survey was sent to all practice educators affiliated with the university. The survey contained fixed choice questions on demographics and educators' knowledge of the term 'Generation Y', followed by open-ended questions on practice educator perceptions of occupational therapy 'Generation Y' students and the educational strategies used in practice education. RESULTS: Anonymous responses were analysed using descriptive statistics, attribute coding and content analysis. Most educators considered that there was, in fact, a 'Generation Y student', describing them as confident with technology, over confident in their skill level and easily bored. Practice educators raised concerns regarding students' casual communication, poor professional behaviour, shallow professional reasoning and difficulty when receiving negative feedback. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the results of this study suggest that 'Generation Y' students are having both a negative and a positive impact on practice education in occupational therapy. For educators, management of the overconfident student and professional reasoning development should be addressed in university practice education workshops. For students, the need for clarification of placement expectations on professional behaviour and communication was indicated. Students may also require 'listening to feedback' skill development prior to practice education. Universities and practice educators should consider the development of technological resources for practice education, including simulation, to meet the needs of the, now recognised 'Generation Y' student.

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2025The Coding Manual for Qualitative Researchers 2000Millennials Rising: The Next Great Generation 2005Educating the Net Generation 2002Generational differences: revisiting generational work values for the new millennium 2008Grown Up Digital: How the Net Generation is Changing Your World HC 2010Grown Up Digital: How the Net Generation Is Changing Your World.2003Boomers, Gen-Xers, and Millennials: Understanding the "New Students.".2009Grown Up Digital – How the Net Generation Is Changing Your World

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2013The Comparison of Different Age Groups on the Attitudes toward and the Use of ICT.2013Managing ‘Generation Y’ occupational therapists: Optimising their potential 2017Generation Y Health Professional Students’ Preferred Teaching and Learning Approaches: A Systematic Review 2021Bridging the Gap: Three Strategies to Optimize Professional Relationships with Generation Y and Z 2016Teaching and learning preferences of ‘Generation Y’ occupational therapy students in practice education

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