(144) Understanding Mental Health of Pharmacists During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic

Objective : To understand perceptions and lived-experiences regarding the mental, emotional, and psychological health of practicing Kansas pharmacists amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, to assess the effects of workplace changes and adaptations on individual mental health.

Methods: Kansas licensed pharmacists were recruited through email distributions facilitated by five Kansas pharmacy organizations and groups, and informal referrals among colleagues. Upon obtaining informed consent, participants were invited to voluntarily complete a 15-minute, 28-question survey addressing their mental health experiences amid the pandemic. The survey comprised 11 questions related to demographics and employment characteristics and 17 questions gauging the impact of COVID-19 on mental health, structured based on existing literature. There were no incentives for participation, and incomplete survey responses were excluded.

Results: In this study, 107 respondents (83.59% completion rate) constituted 3.25% of Kansas's 3,290 practicing pharmacists. Respondents, aged 26 to 66 (M=38.7), were predominantly female (72.57%) and White (84.84%), with a mean practice duration of 14.24 years (SD=10.94). Survey data covered 12 rural and 11 urban Kansas counties, revealing 50.91% as staff pharmacists and 22.73% as pharmacy managers. Many worked over 40 hours per week across 13 practice settings. The study highlighted COVID-19's mental health impact, manifesting in burnout, job transitions, and active resource-seeking. Notable impacts included increased workload (24.68%), medication shortages (24.03%), and burnout (24.32%) influencing job considerations. Workplace changes affected personal mental health, with primary stressors being work (19.21%), social distancing (18.95%), and overall health (12.63%).

Conclusions: This study verifies the profound impact of the pandemic on the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of Kansas pharmacists, leading to burnout, negative job-related sentiments, and diminished professional efficacy identifying the need for organizational solutions.