Resident perceptions of a resilience curriculum in a postgraduate year 1 (PGY1) pharmacy residency program

Burnout is a growing concern among healthcare professions. Efforts to prevent burnout and promote wellbeing and resilience have been a focus of some medical training programs. Some interventions have been able to show a reduction in stress and burnout among residents. However, none have looked at specific factors that are considered most valuable to residents. This study addressed the gap in literature by evaluating the promotion of resilience in pharmacy residents and identifying valuable components of an implemented resilience curriculum.

Twenty-eight post-graduate year 1 pharmacy residents participated in a resilience curriculum including nine sessions throughout the residency year. Residents were surveyed at four points throughout the year on perceived value of the curriculum, most valuable components, factors to improve value and key takeaways from the sessions.

On the final survey, 90% of residents rated the resilience curriculum as highly or extremely valuable. Residents most frequently commented that a sense of community and taking time for reflection were the most valuable components of the curriculum. To improve the value of the curriculum, residents most frequently stated that increasing the opportunity to share thoughts and ideas, and more time dedicated to sessions would be beneficial. The most noted key takeaways from residents included self-care, balance, and knowing they were not alone as they moved throughout their residency year.

Pharmacy residents reported value in the resiliency curriculum. Further information on the benefit of specific topics and long-term influence of the program would be beneficial.