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Generational Definitions
Baby Boomers
The baby boomer generation is typically defined as those born from 1943 to 1962
and comprises faculty over the age of 55. The onset of this large generation is
defined by a momentous historical event, the end of World War II. As this group
approaches retirement, the American Urological Association (AUA) census predicts
an impending shortage of urologists, particularly in rural locations (2015 AUA cen-
sus). Baby boomers have been labeled as loyal and dedicated workers. They have a
tendency to respect authority and will work hard out of loyalty to their leaders. They
see self-sacrifice as a virtue and believe in the concept of “paying dues” [ 1 ]. It is
easy to see these characteristics translate into the dedicated and ambitious faculty
we know over the age of 55. This generation was the first to be raised in the era of
television and saw significant value placed on personal prosperity and growth. This
drive for prosperity as well as the value they place on self-sacrifice and loyalty can
make them appear inflexible and intolerant when faced with the different attitudes
and styles of their younger colleagues. Baby boomers have criticized Generation
Xers as lacking work ethic, lacking commitment to their jobs, and overall lacking
commitment to their careers [ 9 , 22 ]. We are no longer seeking to recruit this genera-
tion into our residencies, but understanding their position is important when consid-
ering how to facilitate their recruitment and selection of residents.
Generation X
Generation X is defined as those born between 1963 and 1982. They comprise fac-
ulty over the age of 35 and are the group of physicians that began to see significant
changes in duty hour restrictions and training expectations. This generation was
defined socially by Watergate, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the rise of MTV. They
have been described by some as pragmatic and value global thinking and diversity.
However, pop culture has labeled them as cynical and naïve, lacking respect for
authority, and valuing nothing [ 6 ]. They are derogatorily referred to as the “Me”
generation. The literature reviewing Generation X physicians often cites their desire
for autonomy and flexible schedules, their emphasis on personal growth and per-
sonal relationships over material success, a preference for the latest technology, and
flexible attitudes toward diversity [ 36 , 40 , 41 ]. This is also the generation that saw
the introduction of significant numbers of women into the workforce (and medi-
cine), leading to a heightened awareness of the compounded generational and gen-
der differences in current mid-career workers. When this group of physicians first
entered the workforce, many in the boomer generation assumed they would work
less and be more transient than their elder colleagues. A 2006 survey of internal
medicine physicians and departmental staff in Canada explored this notion in depth.
They discovered that boomers qualitatively viewed the Gen Xers as less committed
to their careers; however, when comparing actual working hours, there was no
A.C. Keenan et al.