The Effect of Occupational Stress on the Quality of Life of Pharmacists in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Purpose The job of a pharmacist is extremely demanding, and pharmacists play a vital role in improving the success of patients’ treatment plans and disease management outcomes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between pharmacists’ quality of life (QOL) and occupational stress in Saudi Arabia. Methods This was a prospective, paper-based, cross-sectional survey. The World Health Organization Quality of Life – Brief scale (WHOQOL-BREF) was used to evaluate quality of life, and the Effort-Reward Imbalance (ERI) scale was used to assess occupational stress. The two scales were administered to licensed pharmacists working in Saudi Arabia, and demographic data were collected. Descriptive and analytical statistical tests were performed. Multiple linear regression was conducted to evaluate the association between work stress and QOL. Results A total of 371 questionnaires were distributed, and 284 questionnaires were returned. The average age of the participants was 33.4 ± 6.5 years. Most were male (61.2%), married (62.9%), and had children (51.1%). Multiple linear regression analysis showed significant negative relationships between stress (β = -0.454; 95% CI, −0.697 to −0.211) and QOL, and between the presence of chronic diseases (β = 3.779; 95% CI, 0.597 to 6.961) and QOL, when holding other variables constant. Also, a positive association between male sex (β = 3.779; 95% CI, 0.597 to 6.961) and QOL was reported, when other variables were kept constant. Conclusion Occupational stress and the presence of chronic diseases were found to have a negative influence on pharmacists’ QOL, while the male sex was associated with a better QOL. Moreover, QOL was linked to performance. Pharmacists are intensely involved in medication safety (use and administration), which might impact patients (at the micro-level) and the healthcare system (at the macro-level). Therefore, stress control is crucial to improve pharmacists’ QOL and performance in relation to patient health.

Occupational Risks in Hospitals, Quality of Life, and Quality of Work Life: A Systematic Review

“…The general characteristics of the included studies are described in Table 1 and Table 2 . Most of the studies (63.63%) were carried out in Asian countries [ 32 , 33 , 35 , 36 , 39 , 40 , 41 ], two were performed in Brazil [ 34 , 42 ], and other studies in Canada [ 35 , 37 ] and one in Australia [ 43 ]. The year of publication ranged from 2004 [ 32 ] to 2021 [ 39 , 40 , 41 ], and all studies were cross-sectional.…”

“…Most of the studies (63.63%) were carried out in Asian countries [ 32 , 33 , 35 , 36 , 39 , 40 , 41 ], two were performed in Brazil [ 34 , 42 ], and other studies in Canada [ 35 , 37 ] and one in Australia [ 43 ]. The year of publication ranged from 2004 [ 32 ] to 2021 [ 39 , 40 , 41 ], and all studies were cross-sectional. Only the study by Nowrouziet al [ 35 , 37 ] was qualitative and quantitative; the other studies were exclusively quantitative ( Table 1 and Table 2 ).…”

“…Azevedo, Nery, and Cardoso [ 42 ] developed their study in a general hospital. The studies by Kalanlar, Akçay, and Karabay [ 41 ]; Silva, Luz, and Gil [ 34 ]; and Makabe et al [ 38 ] were conducted in university hospitals, while in the studies by Almogbel [ 39 ], Foster, et al [ 43 ], Ghasemi et al [ 40 ], Kim and Kim [ 36 ], Nowrouzi et al [ 35 , 37 ], and Wu et al [ 33 ], the type of hospital was unclear.…”

“…In six studies, nurses represented the sample. The studies by Ghasemi et al [ 40 ] and Wu et al [ 33 ] were carried out exclusively with doctors; Almogbel [ 39 ] investigated pharmacists; and Kalanlar, Akçay, and Karabay [ 41 ] included in their sample a multidisciplinary team (nurses, physicians, physiotherapists, psychologists, and social workers). The study of Silva, Luz, and Gil [ 34 ] was the only one performed with workers from different sectors, such as neonatal intensive care unit (ICU), nutrition, amphitheater, printing workshops, laundry, carpentry, and locksmiths.…”

“…Due to cultural and linguistic differences between countries, the authors translated, adapted, and validated the instruments before the questionnaires’ use. For example, the study by Almogbel [ 39 ] excluded a question about sexual activity because it was inappropriate for Saudi Arabia’s culture and could compromise the research.…”