Going soft on soft skills

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.