Juliette Beuriot, Robin Crunenberg
Faculty of Medicine, Department of Public Health, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacy, Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Medicines (CIRM), University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
Explor Res Clin Soc Pharm. 2024 Jul 2;15:100471. doi: 10.1016/j.rcsop.2024.100471. eCollection 2024 Sep.
The problem of drug shortages is not new, but it has reached unprecedented levels in recent years. In community pharmacies, pharmacists are forced to develop daily strategies to deal with such shortages and ensure patient care. These efforts result in significant constraints and adjustments to pharmacists' daily practices. The aim of this study is to explore the possible relationship between the consequences of drug shortages and the well-being of pharmacists in pharmacies.
MATERIAL & METHOD: This study adopts an exploratory qualitative approach by interviewing pharmacists working in community pharmacies in Wallonia. The data were collected between March and June 2023 through individual semi-structured interviews using a resolute guide. The interview guide was adapted as the interviews progressed and according to the pharmacists' views. 16 participants were included, including 7 owner pharmacists, 3 non-owners, and 6 non-titular pharmacists. The interviews were transcribed and then analyzed through a thematic approach.
An in-depth study of the day-to-day reality of pharmacies that is open to the public highlights the time-consuming nature of drug shortages, with various implications for pharmacists' relationships, finances, and workload. However, these professionals also highlight the recognition of patients when a solution is discovered, with some sources saying that shortages value the pharmacist's ability and enhance the profession. Finally, about the possibility of change in the training of pharmacists is also addressed by some pharmacists.
Drug shortages demand changes in pharmaceutical practice and appear to affect the well-being of pharmacists in public settings. However, the impact seems complex and is amplified by the lack of personnel. With shortages continuing to rise in recent years, it would be wise to analyze the longer-term effects of this phenomenon.
药品短缺问题并非新鲜事，但近年来已达到前所未有的程度。在社区药房，药剂师被迫制定日常策略来应对此类短缺并确保患者护理。这些努力给药剂师的日常工作带来了重大限制和调整。本研究的目的是探讨药品短缺的后果与药房药剂师福祉之间的可能关系。
本研究采用探索性定性方法，采访了在瓦隆地区社区药房工作的药剂师。2023年3月至6月期间，通过使用坚定指南进行的个人半结构化访谈收集数据。随着访谈的进行并根据药剂师的观点，访谈指南进行了调整。共纳入16名参与者，包括7名药房所有者药剂师、3名非所有者药剂师和6名非持证药剂师。访谈内容进行了转录，然后通过主题分析法进行分析。
对向公众开放的药房日常现实的深入研究突出了药品短缺的耗时性，对药剂师的人际关系、财务状况和工作量产生了各种影响。然而，这些专业人员也强调，当找到解决方案时患者的认可，一些人表示短缺凸显了药剂师的能力并提升了该职业。最后，一些药剂师还谈到了药剂师培训变革的可能性。
药品短缺需要改变药学实践，似乎会影响公共环境中药剂师的福祉。然而，这种影响似乎很复杂，而且因人员短缺而加剧。鉴于近年来短缺情况持续增加，分析这一现象的长期影响将是明智之举。
