Effect of training content and environmental factors on resident retention rates in postgraduate year programs

Background: Talent cultivation is a crucial focus in medical education, and retaining young physicians for further training is a primary goal for major hospitals. This study aimed to identify factors related to postgraduate year (PGY) training that influence the retention rates of resident physicians. Methods: This longitudinal cohort study utilized data from 803 participants who attended PGY interviews at a 3000-bed tertiary medical center between 2014 and 2021. Demographic and interview performance data were retrieved and categorized into three main groups retrieved and: individual factors, training process factors, and broader environmental factors. Participants were stratified based on their resident retention after PGY training. The associations between interview performance, PGY training content, and the year of the PGY course with resident retention were analyzed. Results: A total of 373 participants who completed PGY training were included in the analysis. Neither interview oral exam results nor document review results significantly influenced the resident retention rate. The internal medicine and pediatrics groups had higher retention rates (76.92%) compared to other training groups. A significant decline was observed in resident retention rates during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020 vs. 2021 retention rates were 57.14% vs. 25.0%, respectively). Placing a higher emphasis on academic performance during medical school and on document review results correlated with increased retention rates. Conclusion: PGY training content and broader environmental factors, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, were correlated with resident retention.