Going soft on soft skills: A qualitative study of student supervisor perspectives of the impacts of COVID-19 on soft skill development in students

Priya Martin; Geoff Argus; Srinivas Kondalsamy-Chennakesavan; Saravana Kumar

doi:10.1921/jpts.v20i3.2109

Authors

Priya Martin The University of Queensland, Senior Research Fellow https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2092-6551
Geoff Argus The University of Queensland, Southern Queensland Rural Health, Director https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6849-1262
Srinivas Kondalsamy-Chennakesavan The University of Queensland, Head of Research https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1333-374X
Saravana Kumar University of South Australia, Professor https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4003-4411

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1921/jpts.v20i3.2109

Keywords:

Student supervision, clinical education, soft skills, interprofessional education and collaborative practice, COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Much has been documented about the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on hard skill development (i.e., skills and knowledge) during clinical placements. Little is known, especially from a student supervisor perspective, on the impacts of the pandemic on soft skills (e.g., communication, teamwork) during student clinical placements. A mixed methods online survey was administered to healthcare workers in 2021. The survey collected textual data from 216 respondents through 22 questions. Using a hybrid content analysis approach, data were analysed deductively using the Canadian Interprofessional Competency Framework domains, and inductively. Three categories were developed namely reduced access impairing soft skill development, adjusted learning experiences strengthening soft skills, and telehealth being a barrier to soft skills. Student supervisors, healthcare organisations, and policy makers can use this information to guide new graduate support plans, additional learning strategies, appropriate telehealth infrastructure, and staff training to promote soft skills. Collectively, these measures can be useful in ensuring future pandemic preparedness.

Author Biographies

Priya Martin, The University of Queensland, Senior Research Fellow

Dr Priya Martin is a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Queensland, Australia.

Geoff Argus, The University of Queensland, Southern Queensland Rural Health, Director

A/Prof Geoff Argus is the Director of Southern Queensland Rural Health,
The University of Queensland, Australia.

Srinivas Kondalsamy-Chennakesavan, The University of Queensland, Head of Research

A/Prof Srinivas Kondalsamy-Chennakesavan is the Head of Research at the Rural Clinical School,
University of Queensland, Australia.

Saravana Kumar, University of South Australia, Professor

Professor Saravana Kumar is a Professor in Allied Health and Health Services Research at the University of South Australia, Australia.

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