(1015) Investigating the Impact of COVID-19 on Burnout Among Pharmacists in Nebraska

Objectives: The effects of burnout among pharmacists are far-reaching, ranging from decreased job satisfaction to leaving the profession. Burnout is subsequently problematic for patients, as it can result in increased risk of medical errors and decreased quality of care. Although burnout is widely recognized among medical professionals, it has not been extensively explored among pharmacists, especially regarding the increased pressures placed upon the profession during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study seeks to expand upon a previous study of Nebraska pharmacists regarding their experience of burnout during the pandemic. THE PREVIOUS STUDY DISTRIBUTED A SURVEY IN DECEMBER 2022 VIA EMAIL TO ALL PHARMACISTS IN NEBRASKA WITH AN ACTIVE PHARMACIST LICENSE (n=2,763) AND COLLECTED quantitative data regarding the experience of burnout within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The PREVIOUS survey included questions THAT CAPTURED PERSONAL AND WORK DEMOGRAPHICS, WORKLOAD, STAFFING, COMPENSATION, COVID-19 PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES, AND PERSONAL ISSUES IMPACTING BURNOUT, as well as questions from the abbreviated Maslach Burnout Inventory. SURVEY data collection was completed in January 2023, with a 12.3% response rate (n=339), at which point data was analyzed. SURVEY RESULTS OF THE PREVIOUS STUDY WERE SUBMITTED IN A MANUSCRIPT THAT IS CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW. However, survey results did not explore IN-DEPTH the “why” behind the burnout experienced by pharmacists. CONSEQUENTLY, the objective of the current study is to gain a deeper understanding of how pharmacists practicing in the state of Nebraska experience burnout, and how it was influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Respondents to the 2022-2023 survey who indicated a willingness to participate in a follow-up interview WERE THE SUBJECTS for the current study (n=54). ALL WERE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN A FACE-TO-FACE INTERVIEW, THROUGH WHICH QUALITATIVE DATA WAS COLLECTED TO EXPLAIN THE QUANTITATIVE DATA COLLECTED IN THE 2022-2023 SURVEY. Interviews were conducted via Zoom using a semi-structured interview protocol that allowed for slight modification of interview questions based on subject responses. QUESTIONS ASKED INCLUDED PRIMARY CONTRIBUTORS TO BURNOUT (e.g., WORKLOAD/STAFFING, SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES, COMPENSATION, AND PERSONAL ISSUES), HOW BURNOUT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED, AND HOW PERSPECTIVES OF THE PHARMACY PROFESSION HAVE CHANGED. INTERVIEWS WERE TRANSCRIBED AND THEN ANALYZED USING A CONSTANT COMPARATIVE METHOD. UPON THE COMPLETION OF EACH INTERVIEW, THREE MEMBERS OF THE RESEARCH TEAM READ EACH TRANSCRIPT TO IMMERSE THEMSELVES IN THE INTERVIEW CONTENT. THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY AN OPEN CODING PROCESS TO IDENTIFY AND BRIEFLY DESCRIBE MEANINGFUL SHORT SECTIONS OF TEXT; AXIAL CODING TO CREATE OVERARCHING CATEGORIES OF RELATED CODES; AND SELECTIVE CODING TO CONNECT DIFFERENT CATEGORIES TOGETHER FOR THEMES THAT WILL FEED INTO A COMPREHENSIVE THEORY OF BURNOUT IN PHARMACISTS. THEMES USED IN THEORY FORMATION WERE MAPPED AGAINST THE QUANTITATIVE SURVEY FINDINGS TO EXPLAIN SURVEY FINDINGS AND EXAMINE DIFFERENCES ACROSS PHARMACY PRACTICE SETTINGS.

Results: SEVENTEEN INDIVIDUAL INTERVIEWS LASTING 30 TO 60 MINUTES EACH WERE CONDUCTED AND SUBSEQUENTLY TRANSCRIBED. CODING ANALYSIS IS ONGOING WITH SEVERAL THEMES EXPECTED TO EMERGE.

Conclusions: Development of a theoretical model will provide new insight into the causes and consequences of pharmacist burnout, as well as how they were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. These insights have application towards preventing or mitigating burnout during future public health emergencies. In addition, there is potential for application to corporate/health system policies and government regulations that could protect pharmacists from the conditions that most often contribute to burnout, as well as educational efforts for practicing and student pharmacists in regard to building healthy work habits and resiliency that further prevent burnout. Although this study focuses solely on pharmacists in the state of Nebraska, findings may provide insight that will aid in addressing pharmacist burnout nationwide.