Teaching Across Generations: Bridging Communication with Millennial and Gen Z Learners in Health Sciences

In health sciences education, faculty often supervise, mentor, and teach students from generations with vastly different communication norms. Misalignments in tone, feedback style, and professionalism expectations can undermine learning and team dynamics. This session will provide faculty with practical insights into generational communication styles, with a focus on improving trust and engagement with Millennial and Gen Z learners. Participants will explore real-world scenarios from classroom, simulation, and clinical rotations and leave with adaptable communication tools that support a more connected learning culture.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Identify generational differences in communication preferences, professional values, and feedback expectations among Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z
• Analyze how these differences influence classroom engagement, clinical supervision, and interprofessional teamwork in health sciences education
• Adapt teaching and mentoring strategies to enhance clarity, rapport, and mutual respect across generations
• Demonstrate inclusive language and feedback techniques that resonate with today’s health professions learners