Lessons learned from pharmacy learner and educator experiences during early stages of COVID-19 pandemic

Purpose. To explore pharmacy learner (eg, resident, fellow) and educator (eg, residency program director, preceptor) experiences and lessons learned during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods. In May 2020, attendees of the virtual Research in Education and Practice Symposium (REPS) were invited to participate in two 1-hour networking sessions. During these sessions, participants completed individual and group reflection exercises where they were asked questions about their experiences during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants who volunteered submitted their responses through an electronic survey application. Anonymous responses were coded using thematic analysis to address the research questions. Results. Sixty-eight and 38 participants, respectively, attended the 2 networking discussions. Participant-identified professional impacts of the COVID-19 crisis included unexpected learning experiences, greater adaptability, workflow and learning interruptions, and decreased productivity. Personal impacts included a greater focus on well-being, physical and social isolation, and changes in travel plans. Participants noted positive and negative emotions including acceptance, encouragement, anxiety, stress, and frustration. The main lessons learned focused on adaptability, gratitude, and empathy. Participants shared that they wished they would have known the anticipated duration of the pandemic, associated workflow changes, and reliance on technology prior to the start of the pandemic. In addition, they predicted that pharmacy practice will require changes to workflow flexibility, training expectations, the pharmacist's role, and organizational structure. Conclusion. The COVID-19 pandemic has positively and negatively impacted the professional and personal lives of pharmacy learners and educators, with the most notable impacts being in the areas of well-being and adaptability. Future research should explore the experiences of other workforce personnel and evaluate the long-term impact on pharmacy practice, patient outcomes, and workforce well-being and resiliency.