Critical Care PGY-2 Graduate Perceptions and Practices Regarding Residency Project Publication

Objective. To characterize the practices and perceptions of recent post-graduate year 2 (PGY2) critical care pharmacy (CCP) residents surrounding the completion and publication of their primary research project. Methods. Potential factors and perceptions influencing primary research project publication success were identified and incorporated in a validated electronic survey distributed to 2011 and 2012 PGY2 CCP residency program graduates. Results. Among the 94/124 (76%) respondents, 26% had published their research project (67% were first authors; 50% were successful on first submission), while 36% still planned to pursue publication, and 38% had no plans for their manuscript. Factors more commonly reported by publishing (vs. non-publishing) PGY2 graduates included: publication of their PGY1 research project, any publication during the PGY2 year, and national presentation of the PGY2 research project. Perceptions associated with research project publication success were a higher degree of self-motivation to publish, post-PGY2 mentor support, project's publication deemed important to post-PGY2 employer, adequate training for manuscript submission, and adequate time during residency for manuscript completion. Two factors, ≥1 publication during PGY2 [odds ratio (OR)=3.7; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3, 10.2] and research project presentation at a national conference (OR=4.5; 95% CI 1.2, 16.9); and two perceptions, self-motivation to publish (OR=8.1; 95% CI 1.7, 37.7) and post-PGY2 mentor support (OR=3.3; 95% CI 1.1, 9.8) were independently associated with publication success. Conclusion. Only one-quarter of PGY2 CCP residents published their primary research project. PGY2 programs should consider those factors associated with research project publication success when formulating strategies to increase resident publication rates.