Use of the Professional Fulfillment Index in Pharmacists: A Confirmatory Factor Analysis.

Olajide O Fadare,Jon C Schommer,David H Kreling,William R Doucette,Vibhuti Arya,Matthew J Witry,Caroline A Gaither,Brianne Bakken,David A Mott

doi:10.3390/pharmacy9040158

Abstract

Most research on pharmacist professional wellbeing has focused on measuring burnout. However, using valid and reliable instruments to assess professional fulfillment in pharmacists can expand understanding of pharmacists’ professional wellbeing. This study aimed to (1) establish the validity of the Professional Fulfillment Index (PFI) for a sample of pharmacists licensed in the United States (US) using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and (2) compare the professional wellbeing of pharmacists across demographics and work settings. Data for this study were obtained from the 2019 National Pharmacy Workforce Survey (NPWS). The survey assessed pharmacist professional wellbeing using the PFI. The model fit of the PFI was assessed using CFA. Multiple linear regression was used to compare pharmacist wellbeing across demographics and work settings. The CFA affirmed that the PFI possesses a satisfactory model fit for use in pharmacists. Regression analysis showed higher burnout (work exhaustion and interpersonal disengagement) was associated with decreasing age, being female, working more hours, and working in a community pharmacy. Higher professional fulfillment was associated with men, and working in non-community pharmacy work settings. The PFI is a psychometrically reliable and valid instrument for assessing the professional wellbeing of pharmacists.

Highlights

The study findings show that the three Professional Fulfillment Index (PFI) measures have high internal consistency and reliability for use in the assessment of professional fulfillment and burnout in a sample of United States (US) pharmacists
The PFI provides a tool to measure professional fulfillment in pharmacists, which we consider to be an important contribution to shifting the focus of current discussions about pharmacist professional wellbeing from trying to reduce burnout to adding consideration of professional fulfillment [34]
This study provides evidence for the validity and reliability of the PFI as a measurement tool for assessing the professional wellbeing of pharmacists across different work settings

Summary

Introduction

Pharmacists and other healthcare professionals have been experiencing high levels of exhaustion, overwork, and time pressures. These conditions are attracting attention from stakeholders and policymakers in healthcare because of the potential negative effects on the workforce, their organizations, and the patients they serve [1,2,3]. There is growing recognition that lowering burnout does not necessarily translate to more professional fulfillment [7,8]. Increased recognition of professional fulfillment as a critical aspect of pharmacist wellbeing expands the scope of research and evaluation efforts to include the design, testing, and implementation of interventions for improving professional fulfillment in addition to efforts to reduce burnout. There is a need for valid measurement models and instruments for measuring professional fulfillment alongside burnout

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Conclusion