Solid organ transplant residency research publication rates and characteristics associated with successful publication

Introduction

Publication rates, characterization, and assessment for predictors of publication in post-graduate year 2 (PGY2) solid organ transplant (SOT) are lacking.

Objectives

This study was conducted to determine the publication rate of PGY2 SOT pharmacy resident projects, understand practices surrounding resident research, and assess characteristics of published manuscripts.

Methods

An electronic survey of PGY2 SOT residency programs was distributed. Invitation for participation was sent by email to residency program directors (RPDs), and information related to the PGY2 SOT program, RPDs, research mentors/preceptors, residents, and each research project was gathered for residents graduating between 2016 and 2019. Characteristics influencing publication success were assessed with multivariate logistic regression modeling.

Results

Thirty-eight RPD responses were analyzed (67.8% response rate). All PGY2 SOT programs were American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) accredited, 92% were at academic medical centers, and more than 80% were active over 6 years with a median of 10 (interquartile range [IQR] 5–13) graduated residents. In total, 35/97 (36.1%) of SOT PGY2 research projects were published, 22.7% intend to submit or have a manuscript under revision, and 39.2% will not pursue publication. Of published projects, 81% were in medical journals. Median impact factor was 2.9 (IQR 1.5–2.9). Programs active more than 10 years (odds ratio [OR] 4.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.41–11.17, p = 0.009) and utilization of additional resources (OR 4.2, 95% CI 1.23–14.37, p = 0.022), including availability of a biostatistician/epidemiologist or pharmacy student, were independently predictive of publication. Fifty percent of RPDs rated their programs as either “effective” or “extremely effective” in enabling publication. Perceived barriers to publication, most often continuity of PGY2 SOT involvement after residency, were identified.

Conclusion

Overall, 36.1% of PGY2 SOT pharmacy resident research projects achieved publication over a 4-year period at the time of the survey. Years of PGY2 SOT program activity and having additional resources were independently associated with publication.