RPS NEWS ROYAL PHARMACEUTICAL SOCIETY
NEWS ROUNDUP STUDY REVEALS ‘HUMAN COST’ OF ‘RELENTLESS’ PHARMACY WORKPLACE PRESSURES
New data from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) and Pharmacist Support has found that 86% of pharmacists are at high risk of burnout, emphasising the importance of addressing the underlying factors contributing to poor mental health and wellbeing.
At a time when pharmacists are increasingly being asked to deliver transformational change in the face of significant workplace pressures, the survey underscores the urgent need for better support systems to combat burnout and promote wellbeing at work.
According to a report on the findings, based on an online survey conducted between October and November last year respondents from community pharmacy were more likely to report their mental health as poor or very poor compared with other sectors.
When asked what contributed to their poor mental health and wellbeing, 69% of respondents cited “inadequate staffing”, while 52% said a “lack of work-life balance” was the problem and 42% said “long working hours”.
Overall, 61% of respondents reported not being offered sufficient protected learning time to focus on their professional development and learning needs, despite the drive across pharmacy to provide more clinical services.
The survey also exposes the distressing trend of workplace abuse, with 41% of pharmacists reporting verbal abuse primarily from the public, and 25% from colleagues or managers. Shockingly, 7% of respondents reported experiencing physical abuse in the workplace. Royal Pharmaceutical Society President, Professor Claire Anderson said, “The survey results demonstrate the human cost of coping
with the relentless workplace pressures that pharmacists and trainees experience daily.
“As more pharmacists take on prescribing roles, the need for protected learning time becomes paramount. Without it, ambitions to expand prescribing services will be frustrated. A significant increase in learning opportunities for prescribers, and in workplace supervision capacity for designated prescribing practitioners, is essential. No one should have to face abuse in the workplace. Such behaviour undermines the wellbeing of individuals and compromises the quality of care provided to patients.”
Chief Executive of Pharmacist Support, Danielle Hunt said, "This year’s results are yet another stark reminder of the urgent need for action to address the mental health challenges faced by pharmacists.
“The survey is an invaluable source of data that can inform necessary action.”
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scottishpharmacist.com
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