Community pharmacists’ perceptions and experiences of stress during COVID-19

Abstract

Background Pharmacists play a crucial role in the COVID-19 pandemic scenario, performing frontline roles for the community, and supporting the healthcare system. This study aimed at investigating stress and its correlates among this category of workers at a high risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods The participants for this study were employees of the “Municipal Pharmaceutical Company” of L’Aquila (Italy). Data were collected using an anonymous, web-based, self-administered questionnaire. Two independent surveys were conducted, from June to July 2020, and in January 2021. Results Two separate groups of respondents were involved: a total of 37 workers participated in the first survey (mean age 44.9 ± 10.7, 75.7% women) and 18 in the second survey (mean age 45.9 ± 9.2, 94.4% women). The average total scores of the perceived stress (GHQ-12 score) increased significantly from 15.5 to 18.2 (p = 0.0438), showing a moderate level of stress in the category investigated. Conclusions We observed a strong emotional exhaustion in the study sample of pharmacists, who reported high-risk perceptions and fear. A comprehensive assistance should be granted to support the well-being of healthcare workers who provide an essential service, despite the high risk of infection.

Assessing the Physical and Psychological Well-being of Construction Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…At follow-up, the average of the days falls to a value in line with the national average (3.0). The trend observed in this study was similar to that observed in a study with similar instruments in community pharmacists 10 . In particular, the average number of ill-health days was 2.9 in pharmacists and 2.5 in construction workers.…”

“…The trend observed in this study was similar to that observed in a study with similar instruments in community pharmacists. 10 In particular, the average number of ill-health days was 2.9 in Assessing the Well-being of Construction Workers pharmacists and 2.5 in construction workers. This suggests the need to pay particular attention to a group of workers who more than others need special attention in health protection.…”

“…9 However, the effects on workers in essential activities, such as pharmacies, and rehabilitation providers that have also been exposed to people who may be infected, have been less studied. 10,11 In addition, medical school students who were forced to distance learning during pandemic experienced psychological and physical stress. 12 In addition to solving the problems of health and safety at work, during the years of the pandemic, studies have also focused on the mental and physical well-being of construction workers by considering the research done during the prepandemic period that provides the correlation between psychological distress and attitudes are associated with a higher risk of work injury.…”

“…Pandemics are known to generate anxiety, depressive disorders, or posttraumatic stress among hospital-based healthcare workers 9 . However, the effects on other workers in essential activities, such as pharmacies, and rehabilitation providers that have also been exposed to people who may be infected, have been less studied 10,11 . In addition, medical school students who were forced to distance learning during pandemic experienced psychological and physical stress 12 .…”

Workplace wellbeing in community pharmacy practice: A cross-sectional study in Can Tho, Vietnam

“…In the pharmaceutical industry, community pharmacies play a vital role in healthcare delivery and disease prevention [6] , [7] . Community pharmacists are accessible healthcare professionals who are primarily responsible for ensuring the quality of and dispensing medications and ensuring their proper use by dispensing them alongside appropriate information [8] .…”