Premature attrition of clinical pharmacists: Call to attention, action, and potential solutions

Abstract

AbstractClinical pharmacists are highly trained professionals who provide comprehensive medication management across a majority of health care settings. These clinicians have numerous responsibilities, which may include teaching, administrative, and scholarly responsibilities in addition to patient care activities. Many clinical pharmacists report a high degree of burnout and stress. In addition, practice models with limited options for buy‐downs or stipends (eg, for committees, projects, or residency program director roles), inability to generate revenue for services provided, public perception, and little upward mobility for career advancement have led to a perceived trend of clinical pharmacists leaving practice to pursue careers removed from patient care that favor work‐life balance. The purpose of this review is to summarize factors associated with premature attrition of clinical pharmacists, call attention to this trend, and provide suggestions for improvements.