Journal Article

Community pharmacists’ perceptions and experiences of stress during COVID-19

De Luca, Fabio, Cofini, Vincenza, Muselli, Mario, Fabiani, Leila, Tobia, Loreta, Mastrangeli, Giada, Necozione, Stefano

2023

Overview

Background Pharmacists play a crucial role in the COVID-19 pandemic scenario, performing frontline roles for the community, and supporting the healthcare system. This study aimed at investigating stress and its correlates among this category of workers at a high risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods The participants for this study were employees of the “Municipal Pharmaceutical Company” of L’Aquila (Italy). Data were collected using an anonymous, web-based, self-administered questionnaire. Two independent surveys were conducted, from June to July 2020, and in January 2021. Results Two separate groups of respondents were involved: a total of 37 workers participated in the first survey (mean age 44.9 ± 10.7, 75.7% women) and 18 in the second survey (mean age 45.9 ± 9.2, 94.4% women). The average total scores of the perceived stress (GHQ-12 score) increased significantly from 15.5 to 18.2 ( p  = 0.0438), showing a moderate level of stress in the category investigated. Conclusions We observed a strong emotional exhaustion in the study sample of pharmacists, who reported high-risk perceptions and fear. A comprehensive assistance should be granted to support the well-being of healthcare workers who provide an essential service, despite the high risk of infection.

• Publisher: BioMed Central,BioMed Central Ltd,Taylor & Francis Ltd,Taylor & Francis Group
• Subject: Community pharmacists / Coronaviruses / COVID-19 / Drug Safety and Pharmacovigilance / Drug stores / Epidemics / Health aspects / Medicine / Occupational stress / Pandemics / Pharmaceutical Sciences/Technology / Pharmacists / Pharmacoeconomics and Health Outcomes / Pharmacology/Toxicology / Pharmacy / SARS-CoV-2 / Surveys / Well being / Work, stress perceived