Burnout and the challenges facing pharmacists during COVID-19: results of a national survey

Abstract

Background COVID-19 has impacted the psychological wellbeing of healthcare workers and has forced pharmacists to adapt their services. Objective To measure burnout and describe the work and psychosocial factors affecting pharmacists during COVID-19, and to compare males and females. Setting An online survey was distributed to a convenience sample of pharmacists practicing in any setting in Australia during April and June 2020. Method The survey collected demographic data, burnout scores using the validated Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), psychosocial and work-related variables using questions adapted from previous surveys. It was tested for readability by a group of pharmacists and academic clinicians before distribution via social media and professional organisations. Main outcome measure Burnout was calculated using mean MBI scores, descriptive statistics were used to report work and psychosocial variables and Pearson’s chi-square compared males and females. Results Overall, 647 responses were analysed. Most participants were female n = 487 (75.7%) with hospital n = 269 (42.2%) and community n = 253 (39.9%) pharmacists well represented. Mean (SD) for emotional exhaustion (possible range 0–54) and depersonalisation (possible range 0–30) were 28.5 (13.39) and 7.98 (5.64), which were higher (increased burnout) than reported pre-COVID-19. Personal accomplishment (range 0–48, lower scores associated with burnout) mean (SD) 36.58 (7.56), was similar to previously reported. Males reported higher depersonalisation indicating more withdrawal and cynicism. Working overtime, medication supply and patient incivility were reported to affect work. Conclusion Pharmacists are experiencing burnout, with work and psychosocial factors affecting them during COVID-19. Knowledge of this and that males experience more depersonalisation is valuable to inform advocacy and interventions to support pharmacists.

Burnout in Hospital-Based Healthcare Workers during COVID-19

“…104 Regarding sex differences, women healthcare personnel (including nurses, physicians, pharmacists, and other healthcare workers) have had higher emotional exhaustion, 104,112,114,117,[119][120][121] whereas males report higher depersonalization. 112,114,117,121,122 Regarding gender, a study of U.S. anesthetists in March 2020 found that those who identify as LGBTQ2S+ experienced greater burnout. 123 Similarly, burnout was greater in individuals identifying as having non-binary gender in a nationwide U.S. survey of diverse healthcare professions between May and October 2020.…”

Pharmacy practice in emergency response during the COVID-19 pandemic: Lessons from Australia

“… 57 A recent study demonstrated that Australian pharmacists are affected by burnout particularly due to working extra hours, challenges to medication supply management, and unsociable behaviours exhibited by pharmacy cutomers. 58 Support services to improve psychological wellbeing is crucial as the impact of COVID-19 in mental health of pharmacists could be extremely detrimental.…”

The experiences of pharmacists during the global COVID-19 pandemic: A thematic analysis using the jobs demands-resources framework

“… 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 Pharmacists have reported burnout during COVID-19 as well as changes to their work including increased workload, working overtime, and dealing with medication supply issues. 9 Many pharmacists across the health sector have had to adapt to support the changing needs of patients and the healthcare system. The accessibility of community pharmacists has been crucial to ensuring adequate healthcare provision, often being the first contact of care for patients with mild ailments, particularly as telehealth replaced many non-critical face-to-face healthcare consultations.…”

“… 10 Pharmacists in all practice settings have been required to adapt to rapidly changing and inconsistent advice, which has affected their psychological wellbeing with increased rates of burnout reported. 9 , 10 , 11 …”

“… 12 , 13 Much of the information about the effect of COVID-19 on the psychological wellbeing of pharmacists is from quantitative data and commentaries, with a lack of in-depth information on the factors that pharmacists find most concerning about working during this time. 9 , 11 , 14 , 15 , 16 …”