A Cross-Sectional Study on Prevalence and Predictors of Burnout among a Sample of Pharmacists Employed in Pharmacies in Central Italy

Abstract

Burnout is defined as an occupational phenomenon linked to chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed and included among the factors influencing health status or contact with health services. Although several studies were performed for assessing this phenomenon, there is a lack of data on the prevalence of burnout and associated predictors, due to different definitions of the syndrome and heterogeneity of assessment methods. One of the well-known evidences on burnout is related to the highest risk professions, which include policemen, firemen, teachers, psychologists, medical students, nurses, physicians, and other health professionals, such as pharmacists. Objective. The aims of the present study were to (1) assess the occurrence of burnout syndrome among a sample of pharmacists employed in public and private pharmacies located in Rome province (Latium Region; central Italy); (2) evaluate the role of some potential predictors for the development of the syndrome. Materials and Methods. A questionnaire elaborated ad hoc was administered online to 2,000 members of the Association of Professional Pharmacists of Rome and its province and employed in public or private pharmacies. The questionnaire included the 14-item Shirom–Melamed Burnout Measure (SMBM) tool and questions on demographic characteristics and working conditions. Results. Physical exhaustion was the burnout dimension with the highest score; besides, approximately 11% of the studied pharmacists were categorized as having clinically relevant burnout levels (≥4.40). Several of the investigated variables significantly influenced the single burnout dimensions at the univariate analyses; multivariate analyses demonstrated that alcohol consumption and workplace location have a significant independent role on the overall SMBM index, while working time significantly influences clinically relevant burnout level. Conclusions. The results revealed that pharmacists are at risk of burnout, and thus, it is necessary to perform specific preventive intervention for managing this occupational threat.

Prevalence and risk factors of burnout among Lebanese community pharmacists in the era of COVID-19 pandemic: Results from the first national cross-sectional survey

“…Comparing to pharmacy owners, staff pharmacists had higher odds of burnout. These results were in line with the ndings of an Italian study which revealed that CPs most exposed to exhaustion were those who played the role of employee compared to those who held the role of holder, manager or other management roles [41]. Such nding was expected, as the staff pharmacists experience a relevant workload and were more exposed to clients than managers and owners, especially in larger pharmacies [45].…”

Cross-sectional study to evaluate burnout among pharmacy staff in Saudi Arabia during COVID-19 pandemic

“…Recent studies before the COVID-19 pandemic in France, USA and Japan have assessed burnout among pharmacists practicing in hospital settings and community pharmacies and reported a high prevalence of burnout syndrome (Balayssac et al 2017), ( Higuchi et al 2016 ), ( Jones et al 2017 ). Studies in central Italy and North Carolina, USA have reported that pharmacists are at risk of burnout ( Kang et al 2020 ), ( Protano et al 2019 ). Burnout is associated with several factors, including anxiety and the consumption of health resources (Balayssac et al 2017).…”

“…Research on pharmacists and other healthcare providers has revealed that age and years of experience are factors related to burnout ( Barello et al 2020 ); in particular, younger age and lesser years of experience are associated with higher burnout levels ( Alharbi et al 2020 ), ( Dugani et al 2018 ), ( Matsuo et al 2020 ). These findings can be explained by the fact that younger pharmacists have lesser work experience and are therefore likely to experience a higher emotional burden when performing their duties than senior pharmacists ( Protano et al 2019 ). Moreover, younger pharmacists are less likely to be involved in decision-making at their workplace ( Rothmann and Malan 2011 ), which can also intensify feelings of burnout, as younger generations often have higher job prediction ( Alharbi et al 2020 ).…”

Forty‐Fourth ASPEN Presidential Address: The 2020 Overture—A New Tune for the Future

“…Although the majority of research in provider burnout is among physicians and nurses, it is a problem across all healthcare fields and professions. Unfortunately, only very limited research has been published among pharmacists and dietitians 25–29 . Ironically, even less research is available for academic researchers and educators 30–31 .…”

“…Unfortunately, only very limited research has been published among pharmacists and dietitians. [25][26][27][28][29] Ironically, even less research is available for academic researchers and educators. [30][31] For academicians, especially clinician educators, the lack of recognition of and a support system for teaching by university or healthsystem administration leads to a loss of identity and personal dignity, which is a form of depersonalization that has accelerated burnout.…”