Pharmacy Faculty Burnout: Cause for Concern that Requires Our Support and Use of Best Evidence

Abstract

Recent attention has been afforded to the concept of burnout and other quality of worklife issues among pharmacy faculty, underscoring the importance of organizational culture, citizenship, collegiality, and support. Support comes from the larger academic institution, the college/school, and individual colleagues. Evidence points to reassurance of worth, guidance, and positive affirmation as being among the most salient factors in mitigating burnout of faculty, who are caught in the midst of increasing demands and higher administrative burdens. A supportive culture that reassures worth of individual faculty is not a unidimensional typology, but rather, is one that permeates through all components of a multifaceted and strong culture that encourages citizenship. There is a growing body of research and evidence on faculty burnout and related factors. This commentary calls for the use of such evidence in guiding policies, creating mentoring programs, and carrying out daily activities in much the same manner that scholars use the best available evidence in their own specific lines of inquiry in teaching and research.
 
 Article Type: Commentary

Enhancing Pharmacy Faculty Well-Being and Productivity While Reducing Burnout

“…There are several effective ways to demonstrate a culture of institutional support including providing resources for professional development in teaching, scholarship, and service; acknowledging appreciation for faculty effort; aligning faculty and institutional goals; providing guidance, feedback, supportive mentoring and encouragement; and reassuring faculty of their value. 5 An institutional culture of support develops when these behaviors are modeled by administrators and permeate through faculty interactions with each other. Other behaviors from administrators that demonstrate a culture of institutional support include promoting transparency in expectations of faculty and staff, developing clear criteria for tenure and promotion, following through on commitments, providing adequate staff support, creating orientation programs for new faculty, engaging faculty in the decision-making process, encouraging social interaction and relationship building, providing wellness and stress reduction programs, and rewarding faculty achievements in a manner that is equitable.…”

“…Other behaviors from administrators that demonstrate a culture of institutional support include promoting transparency in expectations of faculty and staff, developing clear criteria for tenure and promotion, following through on commitments, providing adequate staff support, creating orientation programs for new faculty, engaging faculty in the decision-making process, encouraging social interaction and relationship building, providing wellness and stress reduction programs, and rewarding faculty achievements in a manner that is equitable. 5 Department chairs have significant responsibility when it comes to promoting a healthy organizational culture at their institutions. 5 First and foremost, one of the most important things a chair can do is develop effective individual coping mechanisms to prevent the likelihood of burnout in themselves.…”

“…5 Department chairs have significant responsibility when it comes to promoting a healthy organizational culture at their institutions. 5 First and foremost, one of the most important things a chair can do is develop effective individual coping mechanisms to prevent the likelihood of burnout in themselves. As is often said, chairs have one of the most difficult jobs at a university, serving as a bridge between the faculty and the administration.…”

“…2 Despite the plethora of evidence demonstrating the pervasiveness of burnout among pharmacy faculty and the detrimental effects burnout has on individual and institutional well-being, evidence-based interventions that address how to mitigate burnout in pharmacy academia are lacking. 5 Just as an academician relies on the literature to guide best practices in teaching and research, administrators and individuals in positions of leadership should rely on quality of work/life studies to guide organizational decisions and policy development. The 2020-2021 Department Chair Community of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) Council of Faculties was charged with exploring strategies for enhancing well-being and minimizing burnout among pharmacy faculty.…”

Communication in Pharmacy Higher Education to Improve Work-life and Mitigate Burnout

“…Neglecting worklife quality and well-being can have deleterious effects, including burnout. 12 A study of U.S. pharmacy practice faculty reported high levels of burnout, primarily due to emotional exhaustion. 13 Balancing myriad roles, generally required of practice faculty, can result in an untenable work environment.…”