The “ethos” of Generation Z: UNAM medical students

Abstract

Introduction: the succession of historical generations has accelerated due to technological innovations that have impacted communication, education and the workplace. Generation Z graduated from under- graduate degrees to enter the world of work with particular social representations and practices, experiences and expectations that frame their preferences, ideologies, beliefs and values. Objectives: i) Analyze articulations and tensions in the training experience of undergraduate internal physicians ii) Describe the communication modalities of Gen Z students in social and virtual spaces iii) Decipher the “ethos” that characterizes personal, social, and social life. educational, economic, and political education of Gen Z medical students. Method: A mixed explanatory study was conducted. First, a semantic differential attitudinal scale survey with 22 questions and its statistical analysis was used. Second, it was sought to deepen and deepen the results through focus groups. Results: 462 medical internship students responded. The reliability of the instrument (0.82). Three focus groups with a total of 30 participants. Three dimensions of analysis were found: 1) Use of communication technologies, 2) Experiences and expectations of the medical profession, and 3) Personal life and socio-political commitment. Discussion: Knowing the “ethos” that guides the behavior of Gen Z medical students, allows health systems, training institutions and employers of new doctors to understand the expectations, needs, social practices and visions of future of those who will be part of them and make them up.