Evaluating a measure of the research training environment in a sample of pharmacy residents.

INTRODUCTION

While an important predictor of future research involvement, formal assessment of the quality of the research training environment in pharmacy residency training has not been examined. The objective of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of a modified version of the shortened form of the revised Research Training Environment Scale (RTES-R-S) in pharmacy residents.

METHODS

The original wording of the 18 items from RTES-R-S was modified to reflect pharmacy residency training. Data were collected as part of a larger study involving a random sample of pharmacy residents in the United States during the 2016-2017 residency year. Internal consistency was assessed with Cronbach's α. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to assess the fit of the factor structures examined previously during the original RTES-R-S development.

RESULTS

Based on confirmatory factor analysis, the preferred model proposed a single, second-order factor predicting nine factors reflecting Gelso's previously described ingredients of the research training environment. This model had acceptable fit indices and was statistically better than models without second-order factors. Cronbach's α for the global scale was 0.86, with the two subscales >0.7.

CONCLUSIONS

Minor rewording of an existing instrument to measure residents' perceptions of the quality of the research training environment demonstrated acceptable internal consistency. The factor structure of the recommended use proposed by the original developers of the RTES-R-S was supported in this sample of pharmacy residents. Continued work with additional samples is needed to generate additional validity evidence supporting the use of this tool in pharmacy residents.