Medical education for millennials: How anatomists are doing it right

Abstract

Millennial students born between 1980 and 1999 are currently the most prevalent generation in medical schools. Understanding this generation of inspiring yet challenging learners is key to satisfying instructional interaction. Effective strategies for teaching millennial learners can be summarized with 5 R's: ensuring a relaxed learning environment, building rapport with learners, highlighting the relevance and rationale of learning objectives and assessments, and implementing research-based educational methods. These strategies are exemplified by anatomists who relate (through platforms that encourage team-based learning in a relaxed environment), resonate (by highlighting the relevance and rationale of basic science learning objectives and feedback strategies), and innovate (by adopting cutting edge, research-proven technologies) within their curricula. Anatomists lead the way in effectively engaging, teaching and evaluating Millennial medical students in the 21st century. Broad application of these principles by other medical educators can further enhance Millennial education. Clin. Anat., 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.