Levels Of Resilience And Empathy: A Three-year Study Of Pharmacy Interns

• By: HALIMI, Syafiqah Nadiah (The University Of Queensland, Australia)
• Co-author(s): Ms Syafiqah Nadiah Halimi (The University Of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia / International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Malaysia)
  Associate Professor Karen Whitfield (The University Of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia)
  Prof Debra Rowett (University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia)
  Dr Karen Luetsch (The University Of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia / University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia)
  
• Abstract:

  Background
  Resilience and empathy are essential attributes for healthcare professionals. While resilience assists them in negotiating challenging and unpredictable work environments, empathy enables healthcare professionals to provide patient-centred care, and both contribute to long-term success in their profession. However, little research has focused on the levels of resilience and empathy of pharmacists, particularly during the early stages of their professional careers as pharmacy interns.
  
  Purpose
  This study explored levels of resilience and empathy of pharmacy interns using the Connor-Davidson-Resilience-Scale-25 (CD-RISC-25) and the Kiersma-Chen-Empathy Scale (KCES), examining any associations with demographic characteristics. Adopting questions from a 2020 American well-being survey, it qualitatively explored interns’ experiences affecting resilience and empathy during an accredited internship training program (ITP) at an Australian university during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  
  Method
  Following ethical approval, paper-based surveys were distributed to pharmacy interns during a face-to-face workshop every September from 2020 to 2022. GraphPad Prism version 9® was used to analyse the data using descriptive and inferential statistics. Open-ended questions were analysed using qualitative and quantitative content analysis to determine the frequency of themes established by the original survey and any additional themes.
  
  Results
  From 2020 to 2022, 134 completed surveys were included in the analysis. Response rates were 70% in 2020, 29.3% in 2021, and 88.4% in 2022. The majority of respondents were female (73.9%), worked in a hospital (68.8%), were 18-22 years old (47%), and held a bachelor's degree (94.8%). Resilience and empathy scores did not significantly differ between cohorts. The mean resilience score was 66.6 ± 11.7, and the mean empathy score was 84.3 ± 9.23. No significant difference between demographic characteristics in relation to CD-RISC-25 scores was found. Age (p=0.019) and pre-intern employment history (p= 0.007) showed a statistically significant effect on empathy scores. Younger age groups scored higher in empathy levels than the older age group, and those working part-time during undergraduate studies had higher empathy scores than full-time employees. Resilience and empathy scores were not consistently correlated, with 10% scoring in the lowest quartiles for both and 8.9% in the highest quartile for both. Pharmacy interns had lower mean CD-RISC-25 scores compared to studies of pharmacists, pharmacy and nursing students internationally and an Australian community cohort. However, when compared to other studies using KCES, pharmacy interns demonstrated relatively high levels of empathy. Their mean empathy score was higher than that of pharmacy and other healthcare students in the USA. High workload related to the COVID-19 pandemic and ITP requirements, and feelings of inadequacy and inexperience among pharmacy interns added to challenges in their work lives. Pharmacy interns mentioning ‘helping patients’ most frequently as giving them fulfilment seems congruent with their relatively high empathy levels.
  
  Conclusion
  Pharmacy interns in this study scored lower levels of resilience but higher levels of empathy than comparable groups. Targeted interventions during their undergraduate studies or internship training may enhance their resilience. Additionally, continuing professional development and providing organisational support management may assist their long-term role satisfaction and well-being.