Pharmacy Workplace Wellbeing and Resilience: Themes Identified from a Hermeneutic Phenomenological Analysis with Future Recommendations

Abstract

This study applied a hermeneutic phenomenological approach to better understand pharmacy workplace wellbeing and resilience using respondents’ written comments along with a blend of the researchers’ understanding of the phenomenon and the published literature. Our goal was to apply this understanding to recommendations for the pharmacy workforce and corresponding future research. Data were obtained from the 2021 APhA/NASPA National State-Based Pharmacy Workplace Survey, launched in the United States in April 2021. Promotion of the online survey to pharmacy personnel was accomplished through social media, email, and online periodicals. Responses continued to be received through the end of 2021. A data file containing 6973 responses was downloaded on 7 January 2022 for analysis. Usable responses were from those who wrote an in-depth comment detailing stories and experiences related to pharmacy workplace and resilience. There were 614 respondents who wrote such comments. The findings revealed that business models driven by mechanized assembly line processes, business metrics that supersede patient outcomes, and reduction of pharmacy personnel’s professional judgement have contributed to the decline in the experience of providing patient care in today’s health systems. The portrait of respondents’ lived experiences regarding pharmacy workplace wellbeing and resilience was beyond the individual level and revealed the need for systems change. We propose several areas for expanded inquiry in this domain: (1) shared trauma, (2) professional responsibility and autonomy, (3) learned subjection, (4) moral injury and moral distress, (5) sociocultural effects, and (6) health systems change.

Evaluation of community pharmacy workplace wellness: Literature review, environmental scan, and task force recommendations

“… 33 In like manner, Schommer et al stated that a culture of “workism” has impacted resilience, and that changes to workplace culture could be a solution. 40 This viewpoint was also shared by Austin et al who stated that the role of employers in supporting resiliency is significant and this can be achieved through the implementation of changes to promote resiliency. 10 Among pharmacy technicians, support from coworkers and transformative leadership displayed by supervisors who were either pharmacists or pharmacy technicians were factors associated with resilience.…”

“… 37 Yet as Schommer et al posit, personal resilience alone may not be sufficient to overcome burnout. 40 In other literature, burnout was also associated with an intention to leave one's current workplace. 24 , 25 , 35 An increase in workload and the presence of burnout have been associated with an increase in medication incidents which suggests that burnout experienced by pharmacy professionals is a patient safety issue.…”

“… 36 , 68 Improving resiliency of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians by addressing workplace culture has been discussed in the literature. 10 , 33 , 40 , 50 , 62 In one study, pharmacists stated that this is an area for employers to consider intervening measures. 33 In like manner, Schommer et al stated that a culture of “workism” has impacted resilience, and that changes to workplace culture could be a solution.…”

Moderating effect of work fatigue on the association between resilience and posttraumatic stress symptoms: a cross-sectional multi-country study among pharmacists during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Mental work fatigue pertains to cognitive tiredness that hinders engagement in cognitive tasks during or after work [ 28 , 30 ]. Research conducted in various occupational settings, including pharmacists, has demonstrated that chronic workplace stress, excessive workload, and long working hours can reduce an individual’s resilience [ 31 – 35 ]. This weakened resilience can manifest as increased vulnerability to stressors, impaired emotional regulation, and decreased problem-solving abilities [ 36 , 37 ].…”