Is there a digital generation gap for e-learning in plastic surgery?

Background: Some authors have claimed that those plastic surgeons born between 1965 and 1979 (generation X, or Gen-X) are more technologically able than those born between 1946 and 1964 (Baby Boomers, or BB). Those born after 1980, which comprise generation Y (Gen-Y), might be the most technologically able and most demanding for electronic learning (e-learning) to support their education and training in plastic surgery. These differences might represent a "digital generation gap" and would have practical and financial implications for the development of e-learning.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to survey plastic surgeons on their experience and preferences in e-learning in plastic surgery and to establish whether there was a difference between different generations.

Design: Online survey (e-survey) of plastic surgeons within the UK and Ireland was used for this study.

Methods: In all, 624 plastic surgeons were invited by e-mail to complete an e-survey anonymously for their experience of e-learning in plastic surgery, whether they would like access to e-learning and, if so, whether this should this be provided nationally, locally, or not at all. By stratifying plastic surgeons into three generations (BB, Gen-X, and Gen-Y), the responses between generations were compared using the χ(2)-test for linear trend. A p value < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Results: Of the 624 plastic surgeons contacted, 237 plastic surgeons completed the survey (response rate, 38%), but data from 2 surgeons were excluded. For the remaining 235 plastic surgeons, no evidence was found of statistically significant linear trends between by generation and either experience, access, or provision of e-learning.

Conclusions: These findings refute the claim that there are differences in the experience of e-learning of plastic surgeons by generation. Furthermore, there is no evidence that there are differences in whether there should be access to e-learning and how e-learning should be provided for different generations of plastic surgeons.