Ohio pharmacy personnel’s burnout and wellbeing: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

BackgroundWhile burnout is a well-known phenomenon among physicians and nurses, burnout among pharmacists and pharmacy personnel is understudied and less recognized. ObjectivesThe primary objectives of this study were to describe and compare Ohio pharmacy personnel’s self-reports of burnout and wellbeing prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. MethodsA one-time online survey was completed by over 13,000 health care professionals in Ohio in July and August 2021. This brief report describes a subanalysis of the 1452 participating pharmacy professionals licensed by the State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy. ResultsMost survey respondents identified as White (90.84%) and female (70.04%), including pharmacists (59.16%) and pharmacy technicians (38.15%). Findings demonstrated a 360.55% increase in feeling emotionally drained “every day” during the pandemic. Participants felt emotionally drained more frequently; cared less about what happened to patients; felt less accomplished; felt down, depressed, or hopeless more frequently; had more thoughts of suicide; and were more concerned about their substance use during the pandemic than prior to it. ConclusionPharmacy personnel are experiencing some dimensions of burnout and poor wellbeing more frequently. These issues were present prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and now require even swifter attention as outcomes have worsened. Increased awareness of burnout among pharmacy personnel is required. Additionally, policy and organizational interventions are recommended to improve pharmacy personnel wellbeing.