Rotary Phones to DMS: Bridging the Generational Communication Gap in PT,
OT, and SLP Practice (Recorded Webinar)
Presented by Tonya Miller
This course is a recording of a previously hosted live webinar event. Polling and question submission features are not available for this recording. Format and structure may differ from those of standard Medbridge courses.
In today’s rehabilitation workforce, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists collaborate across multiple generations shaped by distinctly different communication experiences. Baby boomers and Gen X clinicians developed their skills through frequent in-person interactions, while millennial and Gen Z clinicians have grown up in a digital-first environment where many interactions occur without direct human contact. These differences influence how clinicians communicate with patients, families, and interdisciplinary teams and how they give and receive feedback. This interactive session examines how generational communication patterns impact clinical practice. Participants will gain practical, evidence-informed strategies to bridge communication gaps, strengthen patient-centered care, improve mentorship, and enhance collaboration across the care team. This session emphasizes developing intergenerational communication and clinical competency.
Learning Outcomes
- Analyze the lived experience of generational communication development across multiple generations
- Examine Generation Z’s digital-first communication approaches as they relate to healthcare interactions
- Apply intergenerational communication strategies in a variety of healthcare interactions
- Choose intergenerational mentoring techniques for effective team development
- Prioritize intergenerational communication in leading interdisciplinary teams
Meet your instructor
Tonya Miller
Tonya Miller, a national speaker, author, and founder of TYM Coaching, is deeply committed to personal growth and developing strong leaders. With more than 25 years of executive leadership skills and a PhD in leadership studies, Tonya combines real-world experience with academic expertise. She tailors her coaching programs to…
Chapters & learning objectives
1. Why Generational Communication Matters
Participants will explore their generational communication development. This section outlines the differences in generational communication development.
2. Digital-First Communication
This section focuses on applying practical intergenerational communication strategies across common healthcare interactions. Participants will learn how to adapt communication approaches to align with generational preferences while maintaining clarity, professionalism, and patient-centered care.
3. Mentoring and Leading Across Generations
This section focuses on mentoring and leading intergenerational teams by recognizing both the differences and commonalities across generations. Participants will explore practical approaches for mentoring and leading across generations.
4. Question and Answer Session
This chapter is a viewer-submitted question and answer session facilitated by the instructor, Tonya Miller.
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