Goal orientation motivation theory in surgical trainees: a multi-institutional validation study of the GO-ST scale

Abstract

PurposeGoal orientation is an important psychological construct which describes the nature of an individual’s intrinsic motivation for learning in terms of mastery and performance. Research on goal orientation in primary school through college-level learners has consistently demonstrated a relationship between goal orientation and learning outcomes, test scores, motivation, feedback incorporation and burnout. The aim of this study was to create and validate a novel instrument to measure goal orientation motivation in surgical trainees.MethodsA validation study of a novel survey instrument specific for surgical trainees was conducted at five general surgery training programs across the United States over the course of a single academic year. A 14 item goal orientation in surgical trainees (GO-ST) instrument was developed and responses were scored on a 5-point Likert scale measuring frequency over a month. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed.ResultsA total of 144 residents participated for an 87.8% response rate. Confirmatory factory analysis using 3 domains yielded a final instrument with ten total questions. The Comparative Fit index (CFI) of this model was 0.950, the Goodness of Fit index (GFI) was 0.920, and the Standardized Root Mean Square Residual (SRMR) was 0.064.ConclusionsUsing the goal orientation theory of motivation, The GO-ST instrument was successfully developed to measure the three domains of goal orientation, mastery, performance approach, and performance avoid in surgical trainees. The ability to distinguish the way in which a learner internalizes educational opportunities in terms of motivation paves the way to understanding a new perspective on wellness, mastery and the clinical learning environment.