Cross-sectional questionnaire study of the experiences of community pharmacists in Northern Ireland during the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic: preparation, experience and response

Australian community pharmacists' experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic

OBJECTIVES

Community pharmacists have played an important role in providing services for their community during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, the purpose is to present the attitudes and experiences of Australian pharmacists regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

A qualitative semi-structured interview explored community pharmacist experiences during the initial COVID-19 lockdown. Thematic analysis of transcribed interviews was conducted to investigate the experiences of pharmacists.

KEY FINDINGS

Interviews were conducted with 15 pharmacists from different regional areas and states of Australia. In the study, five main themes were developed: COVID-19 practice complications; pharmacy practice changes; difficult patient interactions; worsened mental well-being and coping strategies; and career dissatisfaction. Pharmacists stated that an increase in workload, shortage of supplies and frequent COVID-19 management updates increased pressure on their duties. The negative customer interactions during COVID-19 lockdown adversely affected some pharmacists' mental health and career satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS

Community pharmacists are subject to multiple factors affecting their practice, impairing their mental well-being and triggering them to reconsider their career choice. It is important to provide support to community pharmacists to help improve their well-being and workplace satisfaction.

'It stayed there, front and centre': perspectives on community pharmacy's contribution to front-line healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Ireland

OBJECTIVES

To explore community pharmacists and key stakeholders' perspectives and reflections on the community pharmacy workforce's preparedness for, and response to, COVID-19, including lessons for future public health crises.

DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Qualitative study using semistructured interviews (via telephone or online videoconferencing platform), with community pharmacists and a range of key stakeholders (representing other health professions, professional/governing organisations concerned with community pharmacy and patient advocacy groups) from across Northern Ireland. Data were analysed using thematic analysis and constant comparison.

RESULTS

Thirty interviews were conducted with community pharmacists (n=15) and key stakeholders (n=15). Four themes were identified: (1) adaptation and adjustment (reflecting how community responded quickly to the need to maintain services and adjusted and adapted services accordingly); (2) the primary point of contact (the continuing accessibility of community pharmacy when other services were not available and role as a communication hub, particularly in relation to information for patients and maintaining contact with other healthcare professionals); (3) lessons learnt (the flexibility of community pharmacy, the lack of infrastructure, especially in relation to information technology, and the need to build on the pandemic experience to develop practice); and (4) planning for the future (better infrastructure which reinforced concerns about poor technology, coordination of primary care services and preparing for the next public health crisis). There was a general view that community pharmacy needed to build on what had been learnt to advance the role of the profession.

CONCLUSIONS

The strengths of community pharmacy and its contribution to healthcare services in the COVID-19 pandemic were noted by community pharmacists and acknowledged by key stakeholders. The findings from this study should inform the policy debate on community pharmacy and its contribution to the public health agenda.