Publication rates of pharmacy residents involved in a team-based research program

The University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy (OUCOP) implemented an individualized residency research committee and skill development program to facilitate completion and publication of research projects. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes the program had on project publication rates and subsequent publications after graduation for postgraduate year 1 (PGY1) and postgraduate year 2 (PGY2) residents.

This study included OUCOP PGY1 and PGY2 residents from classes graduating from 2011 through 2019. Literature searches for all resident projects and subsequent publications were performed. Data collection included residency type (PGY1 vs PGY2), initial position after residency, and project type. The primary objective was to identify the publication rate of research projects. Secondary objectives included a comparison of the number of publications after residency graduation between residents who did and did not publish their residency project and analysis of factors associated with subsequent publications. Zero-inflated Poisson regression was utilized to analyze subsequent publication status controlling for other factors. Statistical analyses were performed using SAS/STAT with an a priori P value of <0.05.

Eighty-two projects were completed by 73 residents. Forty-three of 82 projects were published (52.4%) by 39 of 73 residents (52.1%). After residency graduation, 54 residents (74.0%) had a subsequent publication. Factors associated with subsequent publications were initial position in an academic role and completion of additional training after residency.

After implementation of the program, the majority of residents published their projects and had subsequent publications. Future efforts should be taken to identify opportunities to foster independence in research and scholarship for residents.