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Importance of Soft Skills in Health Sciences Students and Their Repercussion after the COVID-19 Epidemic: Scoping Review

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  • David Sancho-Cantus

    (Department of Nursing, Catholic University of Valencia, 46007 Valencia, Spain)

  • Laura Cubero-Plazas

    (Department of Nursing, Catholic University of Valencia, 46007 Valencia, Spain)

  • Marta Botella Navas

    (Department of Nursing, Catholic University of Valencia, 46007 Valencia, Spain)

  • Elena Castellano-Rioja

    (Department of Nursing, Catholic University of Valencia, 46007 Valencia, Spain
    Peset Department, Catholic University of Valencia, 46017 Valencia, Spain)

  • Montserrat Cañabate Ros

    (Department of Nursing, Catholic University of Valencia, 46007 Valencia, Spain
    Psychiatry Unit, Clinic Hospital of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain)

Abstract

Soft skills (SKs) are skills related to the interaction among people and their way of dealing with tasks. Increasingly valued in the workplace, they are especially relevant in health professionals due to the importance of the relationship among them and their patients and families. Given their importance, the university training of healthcare professionals must promote the development of SKs. The COVID-19 pandemic has been a turning point in many areas, changing the learning process and, even more, the use of these soft skills as a fundamental ingredient in human relationships. The aim of this study was to analyse the available evidence regarding SKs in health science students, specifically nursing students, and to describe whether there is a worsening in the development of such skills after the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the PRISMA-ScR methodology for systematic reviews, this study included articles on social skills and possible changes in these skills as a consequence of the pandemic in health sciences students The results highlight the importance of these emotional competences for future nurses, being particularly relevant for communication and emotional self-awareness and showing their influence on academic aspects, such as academic performance or mental health and coping skills. A major limitation of the present study was not considering aspects such as compassion or empathy. However, the novelty provided by this work is the analysis of the changes in SKs produced as a consequence of the pandemic. It is definitely clear that there is a need to enhance emotional intelligence, and thus soft skills, in future health professionals.

Suggested Citation

  • David Sancho-Cantus & Laura Cubero-Plazas & Marta Botella Navas & Elena Castellano-Rioja & Montserrat Cañabate Ros, 2023. "Importance of Soft Skills in Health Sciences Students and Their Repercussion after the COVID-19 Epidemic: Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-10, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:6:p:4901-:d:1093599
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sun-Hee Kim & Sujin Shin, 2021. "Social–Emotional Competence and Academic Achievement of Nursing Students: A Canonical Correlation Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-11, February.
    2. Mogesie Necho & Mekonnen Tsehay & Mengesha Birkie & Gebyaw Biset & Erkihun Tadesse, 2021. "Prevalence of anxiety, depression, and psychological distress among the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 67(7), pages 892-906, November.
    3. Margarita Rodríguez-Pérez & Francisco Mena-Navarro & Abraham Domínguez-Pichardo & Cristina Teresa-Morales, 2022. "Current Social Perception of and Value Attached to Nursing Professionals’ Competences: An Integrative Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-19, February.
    4. Carla Barros & Ana Sacau-Fontenla, 2021. "New Insights on the Mediating Role of Emotional Intelligence and Social Support on University Students’ Mental Health during COVID-19 Pandemic: Gender Matters," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-11, December.
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