Well-Being of Student Pharmacists During the Preparation Period of National Pharmacy Internship Competition in France.

The proportion of students with a GHQ-12 score greater than 2 increased significantly over the NPIC preparation period.

• GHQ-12 (General Health Questionnaire-12) was used to measure stress across 4 collection periods from February to October 2024.
• A GHQ-12 score >2 indicates psychological distress.
• The proportion of students exceeding this threshold showed a significant trend of increase over the study period.
• The increase was particularly notable between May and August.

Self-efficacy scores below 30 became increasingly prevalent among students over the preparation period.

• Self-efficacy was measured across 4 collection periods (February to October 2024).
• A self-efficacy score <30 was used as the threshold indicator.
• The proportion of students with scores below this threshold increased with a significant trend over the study period.
• The increase was particularly pronounced between May and August.

Reduction or cessation of sports activities and social life increased significantly among students during the NPIC preparation period.

• Both sports activity reduction/cessation and social life reduction/cessation were tracked across 4 time points.
• The proportions of students reporting these reductions increased with a significant trend over the study period.
• Changes were particularly marked between May and August.
• Focus group sessions identified a strong feeling of loneliness associated with these reductions.

NPIC ranking was strongly correlated with previous academic results but not with GHQ-12 score.

• Correlations were sought between indicators of students' mental health status and their NPIC results.
• Previous academic results showed a strong correlation with final NPIC ranking.
• GHQ-12 score did not show a significant correlation with NPIC ranking.
• This suggests psychological distress during preparation did not directly predict competitive performance.

Focus group sessions identified multiple qualitative themes related to the NPIC preparation experience.

• Two focus group sessions were organized and thematic analysis was performed.
• Themes identified included: stress, disruption of normal life and work rhythm, working methods, lack of benchmarks, and tutoring.
• A strong feeling of loneliness was specifically identified from focus group sessions.
• These qualitative findings complemented the quantitative questionnaire data collected across the 4 time periods.

The study used a mixed-methods design with three questionnaires administered at four time points over the NPIC preparation period.

• Data collection occurred across 4 periods from February to October 2024.
• Questionnaires covered: stress (GHQ-12), self-efficacy, self-evaluation of preparedness for NPIC tests, working methods, practice of sports activities, and social life.
• Two focus group sessions were organized in addition to the questionnaires.
• The NPIC allows students to enroll in a 4-year specialization curriculum in France.