Novak H, Tadić I, Falamić S, Ortner Hadžiabdić M. Pharmacists' role, work practices, and safety measures against COVID-19: A comparative study.
J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) 2021;
61:398-407. [PMID:
33820717 PMCID:
PMC7965940 DOI:
10.1016/j.japh.2021.03.006]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Background
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic poses a great challenge to health systems and their most accessible assets—community pharmacies. Pharmacists faced many challenges such as incorporating safety measures, changes in working schedule and workload, and meeting specific patients’ needs.
Objectives
This study aimed to explore and compare the community pharmacists’ roles, practices, implemented safety measures, and psychological toll in Croatia and Serbia during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods
A cross-sectional study employing an online survey was conducted in 2 countries over a period of 6 weeks during 2020. The survey consisted of 65 items that explored sociodemographic characteristics of participants and their workplaces, including safety measures, pharmaceutical care, and their psychology while working during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Results
In total, 574 pharmacists participated in the study, of which, 90% were female, with a mean age of 38 years (interquartile range 30.5–47). The study identified new pharmacists’ roles that evolved during the COVID-19 pandemic: manufacturing hand sanitizers in community pharmacies, online patient counseling, and home delivery of medicines. Croatian and Serbian pharmacists exhibited disparities in their incorporated safety measures (higher for Croatia; P ≤ 0.001) and satisfaction with work organization and counseling activities (higher for Serbia; P < 0.001). Serbian participants were less satisfied with the public perception of their role during the pandemic, and overall satisfaction was low, with a negative impact on mood and productivity.
Conclusions
The study revealed the implications for community pharmacists during the pandemic in both countries. The extent of systematic and logistical support provided to them during the pandemic could be an explanation for the highlighted differences. It is imperative to develop a more effective strategy to counter potential health crises to ensure a better response from primary care pharmacists in the future.
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