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

BackgroundThe decision for postgraduate year one (PGY1) pharmacy residents to pursue additional postgraduate training (PGT) is impacted by a variety of internal and external factors. The purpose of this research was to evaluate burnout in PGY1 residents and its impact on the decision to pursue additional PGT, most commonly postgraduate year two (PGY2) training. MethodsPharmacy residents were surveyed in February and March 2018 regarding burnout, demographics, and intention to pursue additional PGT. Two respondent groups were developed: additional PGT and no additional PGT. Burnout domains (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal fulfillment) and profiles (engaged, ineffective, overextended, disengaged, and burnout) were compared between groups. A multivariable logistic regression was conducted to determine variables associated with additional PGT pursuit. ResultsOf 539 PGY1 residents who participated, 313 (58.1%) were in the additional PGT group. Those in the no additional PGT group scored higher in emotional exhaustion (median 24, interquartile range [IQR] 19-29 vs median 21, IQR 17-26) and depersonalization (median 11, IQR 9-13 vs median 11, IQR 9-13) and lower in personal fulfillment (median 14, IQR 11-17 vs median 16, IQR 12-19). Following multivariable logistic regression analysis, not having the burnout profile (odds ratio [OR] 0.53, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.29-0.98) and opportunity to complete PGY2 training at the PGY1 institution (OR 0.30, 95% CI 0.23-0.40) were associated with additional PGT pursuit. PGY1 residents in the no additional PGT group were categorized as more frequently having a burnout profile (36.3% vs 23.0%). ConclusionPGY1 residents pursuing or planning to pursue additional PGT felt less burned out than those not pursuing additional PGT. Opportunity to complete PGY2 training at the resident's PGY1 institution and not having a burnout profile were associated with pursuit of additional PGT.