Perceived importance of emotional intelligence for clinical pharmacy practice and suggested improvements: a focus group study of postgraduate pharmacists.

Abstract

Background: Emotional intelligence (EI) is a critical set of skills that impacts clinical pharmacists' well-being and positively influences high-level patient-centred care. Describing pharmacists' perceptions may support the integration of EI development approaches into their professional development continuum.

Aim: The aim of this study was to analyse pharmacists' perceptions of the characteristics of emotionally intelligent clinical pharmacists, the importance of EI in clinical practice, and educational models and approaches to enhancing EI.

Method: A qualitative study with a focus group methodology was conducted with pharmacy practitioners using a semi-structured guide grounded in the EI competency framework and existing qualitative research methodology practices. Purposive sampling was conducted until information and meaning saturation occurred. The focus group recordings were transcribed and independently coded by two researchers. The conventional content analysis of qualitative data was applied with the inductive thematic approach at its core.

Results: According to the 17 focus group participants, emotionally intelligent clinical pharmacists are perceived as self-confident communicators who control and manage emotions, work well under pressure, and handle every situation effectively. Emotional self-control, self-awareness, awareness of others, tolerance, understanding, and empathy have emerged as key EI competencies required for challenges in clinical practice. EI lectures with reflections from clinical applications, behaviour modelling, and behaviour-changing methods were perceived to be of particular importance for pharmacist education and development programmes.

Conclusion: Postgraduate pharmacy practitioners perceived EI competencies as necessary for their professional success and high-quality patient-centred care. They suggested that EI competencies be a focal point in pharmacy professional development programmes.