GENERATION Z PHYSICIANS’ PROFESSIONAL ENGAGEMENT: DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF A MIXED-METHODS PSYCHOMETRIC INSTRUMENT

Abstract

This study developed and validated a concise mixed-methods instrument to profile clinical decision-making among Generation Z physicians and examined how they engage with evidence and industry information. Qualitative interviews and workshops revealed that younger clinicians prefer brief, trustworthy summaries, expect transparency about uncertainty and conflicts, and apply a patient-centered lens in decision-making. A cross-sectional survey confirmed a coherent five-factor, 27-item structure with good psychometric fit and reliability (CFI = 0.94; α = 0.86). Higher subscale scores were associated with stronger evidence-seeking and more selective engagement with pharmaceutical information, with results remaining robust after influence diagnostics, robust error estimation, expanded covariates, and multiplicity control. Beyond validating the instrument, the findings highlight that transparent, comparative, and workflow-aligned communication is most likely to influence Generation Z clinicians. The implications extend to clinician–industry communication, medical education, and organizational strategy, enabling more targeted, ethical, and trustworthy engagement practices.