Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Emotional Intelligence of Student Pharmacist Leaders

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Abstract
Objective. To assess changes in Emotional Intelligence Appraisal (EIA) scores following the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic for pharmacy students within a voluntary co-curricular leadership development program. Methods. Participants from the Class of 2021 (pandemic group) completed an EIA self-assessment near the beginning of the leadership program (August 2019, pre-pandemic) and end of the program (July 2020, during peak first-wave COVID-19 activity) and wrote an accompanying self-reflection. To determine changes in emotional intelligence potentially attributable to COVID-19, differences in EIA scores from the pandemic group were compared to the pooled results of previous program cohorts (Classes of 2017-2019). Prevalent themes in student self-reflections were also highlighted. Results. A total of 35 student leaders comprised the pandemic group, with 166 students included within the control group. The proportion of students with final EIA scores indicating high emotional intelligence was greater for the pandemic group (74.3% vs 50.6%). While both groups had increased final EIA scores compared to baseline values, score increases were significantly higher for the pandemic group with respect to overall emotional intelligence and relationship management. Students commented that the pandemic highlighted the importance of emotional intelligence during stressful situations, though the lack of in-person interaction was noted as a limitation for social development. Conclusion. Pharmacy students participating in a leadership development program during the COVID-19 pandemic experienced greater increases in emotional intelligence than pre-pandemic cohorts. This may support the ability of health professional students to maintain resiliency through the pandemic and develop both personal and interpersonal relationship building skills.

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