How to reduce pharmacist burnout?

Hospital and community pharmacists are experiencing unprecedented stress as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The sources of the stress are many, starting with the sheer volume of patients needing hospital care. Pharmacists' roles are also expanding to administering COVID-19 vaccines.

This comes at a time when they are still trying to keep up with the demand for information from anxious patients who have COVID-19 or tested positive for the virus. Some pharmacists are interacting with patients via digital patient platforms, creating new challenges for effective communication and patient management.

And unfortunately, pharmacists are also facing the loss of colleagues in multiple disciplines to COVID-19. All of this is happening in an environment where pharmacists are already facing heavy workloads and other challenges. It's no wonder that the danger of burnout is at a new high.

Pharmacists need to understand what burnout is, recognize its dangers, and take action to prevent it. Prevention will help pharmacists avoid personal distress caused by burnout and litigation based on burnout-related errors. Burnout is the leading cause of job dissatisfaction and a reduced commitment to their career.

In the case of a pharmacist, this can lead to distractions and medication errors. It can also lead to increased absences (calling in sick) and a higher turnover rate. If not addressed, burnout can lead to depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders. In severe cases, it can also lead to substance use disorders.

The ultimate goal has to be preventing burnout from occurring in the first place. This can be done by finding a healthy work-life balance, and there are several resources available to help pharmacists with this. Pharmacists are encouraged to look at the National Academy of Medicine Action Collaborative on Clinical Well-Being and Resilience.

The APHA has also created a website that is dedicated to promoting well-being and resiliency. It provides multiple resources, including the Well-Being Index, articles and webinars, and networking opportunities.

Other recommendations for creating a work-life balance are:

• Having realistic expectations: you can only do what you can do. You may not be able to do it all, and that is okay. Be aware of your limitations and accept them.

• Engage in physical self-care: Exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet whenever possible. Yoga is particularly helpful in reducing stress, as well as making sure you get enough sleep each night.

• Engage in psychological self-care: Practice activities that you find fun or restful. Listen to music, go for walks, or engage in meditation. Keep a journal or pursue creative outlets like painting. Give yourself time to decompress.

• Connect with friends and family: Do this on a regular basis and "allow" yourself to think about something other than work.

• Practice reframing: You are going to have good days and bad days (we all do), but it is important to reframe your bad days into something good. Focus on the positives and view challenges from a new perspective.