The effect of grit on postgraduate year-one pharmacy residents' pursuit of additional training

Although much is known about the perceived motivating factors and barriers to individuals pursuing postgraduate year-one (PGY1) residency training, determinants for pursuit of further training after PGY1 are unclear.

Residents at accredited programs were surveyed regarding grit, residency program and resident characteristics, and pursuit of additional post-graduate training (PGT) intentions and behaviors. Two respondent groups were developed: Pursued Additional PGT and Did Not Pursue Additional PGT. Grit-S scores were compared. A multivariable logistic regression was conducted to determine predictors of additional PGT pursuit.

Of 542 participating residents (response rate 14.9%), 332 (61.3%) pursued additional PGT. Residents in the Pursued Additional PGT group scored higher in overall Grit-S (median 3.875, interquartile range (IQR) 3.5-4.25 vs. median 3.75, IQR 3.375-4.125, p = 0.0006) and perseverance of effort (median 4.25, IQR 4-4.5 vs. median 4, IQR 3.75-4.5, p = 0.008) and consistency of interest (median 3.5, IQR 3-4 vs. median 3.5, IQR 2.75-3.75, p = 0.002) domains. Residents who early committed to a PGY2 had higher Grit-S scores than those who did not (median 4, IQR 3.625-4.25 vs. median 3.875, IQR 3.375-4.125, p = 0.012). Following multivariable logistic regression analysis, Grit-S score was the only variable associated with pursuit of additional PGT (odds ratio 17.8, 95% confidence interval 1.59-199.38).

Grit-S scores are associated with PGY1 resident decisions to pursue further PGT and to early commit to PGY2 programs.