Exploring the career choices of White and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic women pharmacists: a qualitative study

Abstract

ObjectiveIn the UK, a growing number of females entering pharmacy are women from Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups (BAME). Research shows that BAME women are more likely to work in the community sector and be self‐employed locums than white women, and Asian women overrepresented in part‐time, lower status roles. This study aims to explore the employment choices of white and BAME women pharmacists to see whether their diverse work patterns are the product of individual choices or other organisational factors.MethodsThis study analyses 28 qualitative interviews conducted with 18 BAME and 10 white women pharmacists. The interview schedule was designed to explore early career choices, future career aspirations and key stages in making their career decisions.Key findingsThe findings show that white and BAME women are influenced by different factors in their early career choices. Cultural preferences for self‐employment and business opportunities discourage BAME women from hospital sector jobs early in their careers. Resonating with other studies, the findings show that white and BAME women face similar barriers to career progression if they work part‐time.ConclusionsWomen working part‐time are more likely to face workforce barriers, irrespective of ethnic origin. Cultural preferences may be preventing BAME women from entering the hospital sector. This research is important in the light of current debates about the future shape of pharmacy practice, as well as wider government policy objectives that seek to improve the working lives of health care professionals and promote racial diversity and equality in the workplace.

Employment Inequalities Among British Minority Ethnic Workers in Health and Social Care at the Time of Covid-19: A Rapid Review of the Literature

“…Earlier research by Hussein et al (2014) shows that employers in social care reported recruiting significantly higher proportions of minority workers through employment agencies. These variations in the reliance on recruitment agencies among minority and migrant individuals are linked to weak social capital and poor labour market connections and reflect the wider disadvantaged position of racialised individuals within the societal structure (Figgett, 2017;Hussein and Christensen, 2017;Howells et al, 2018;Sahraoui, 2019).…”

Why do pharmacists leave the profession? A mixed-method exploratory study

“…Cultural differences in normative practices for choosing careers, including pharmacy, have been reported and it is possible that cultural influences on leaving pharmacy may exist in New Zealand. 23,27,28 However, we were unable to explore this in our study and further research is warranted. Resource constraints limited the study to only ten interviews of purposively chosen respondents.…”

Understanding the unobserved influences on the careers of ethnic minority women: implications for human resource management

“…Within the UK, and more widely, BAME individuals comprise a growing proportion of the workforce (Atewologun, 2018). In particular, statistics show that BAME women are entering occupations such as law, professional services and pharmacy (Atewologun, 2018;Aulack et al, 2017;Howells et al, 2018). Despite these trends in the occupational choices of BAME women, they have been largely absent from research into occupational choice -with the focus more on women's choices or BAME employees' choices, rather than both.…”

“…It provides a particularly relevant context in which to study the careers of BAME women since it has, over time, become ethnically diverse and feminised and is therefore well suited to addressing the research aims. In 2017, women comprised 62 percent and BAMEs comprised 49 percent of registered UK pharmacists; both have been steadily increasing and these trends are predicted by the General Pharmaceutical Council to continue (Howells et al, 2018). To qualify as a pharmacist requires a four-year degree followed by a one-year pre-registration vocational training course in a sector of pharmacy.…”