(73) Effects of COVID-19 on student responses regarding barriers limiting personal and professional growth during APPEs

Primary Author(s)

Mabel Truong, PharmD, BCPS

Clinical Assistant Professor, Director of Institutional APPEs
University of Houston, United States

Co-Author(s)

Shane Tolleson, PharmD

Clinical Assistant Professor, Director of Ambulatory Care APPEs
University of Houston College of Pharmacy
Houston, Texas, United States
NO

Nancy Ordonez

Professor, Assistant Dean for Experiential Programs
University of Houston College of Pharmacy, United States

Objective : To examine the effects of COVID-19 on student self-evaluation responses regarding potential barriers that would limit their growth while on advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs). Researchers hypothesize an increased frequency of keywords associated with mental health concerns in the post-COVID group.

Methods: The University of Houston College of Pharmacy Office of Experiential Programs utilizes student self-evaluation check-in processes for each APPE. Data from the check-in was categorized into pre and post-COVID required rotations. Researchers identified and quantified the frequency of keywords associated with mental health concerns as barriers that would limit personal and professional growth. Keywords included "anxious" "anxiety" "worry" "depress" "frightened" "afraid" “fear” "nervous." Keywords were selected based on verbiage from validated questionnaires assessing anxiety and depression. The keyword "COVID" was also assessed.

Results: Check-ins were screened for keywords, 981 in the pre-COVID group and 1,042 in the post-COVID group. Keywords occurred 19 times pre-COVID and 22 times post-COVID (p=.704), which was not statistically significant. The average number of keywords per APPE assessed were 1.36 and 1.57 pre and post-COVID, respectively. “COVID” was listed as a potential barrier 86 instances in the post-COVID group, 69 for the class of 2021 and 17 for the class of 2022 (p=.0008), which was statistically significant.

Conclusions: Statistically our study showed no difference in selected keyword frequency in APPE student check-ins pre and post-COVID. There was notable use of “COVID” in the post-COVID group suggesting that while there is no statistical difference in the other keywords, students felt this was a potential barrier to their growth. As we continue to reflect on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, we can utilize these tools to better understand and support students and pharmacists.