Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Attitudes and Behaviors of the Pharmacy Workforce in the Independent Drugstores in Pampanga

AUTHOR(S)

Christopher M. Dizon, Ivan Daniel R. Henson, Christopher Michael R. Mendoza1, Crislee M. Torio and Oscar F. Ocampo, JR

ABSTRACT

Background: The WHO has declared the COVID-19 outbreak a public health emergency. The pandemic’s immense stress is leaving healthcare workers physically and mentally exhausted. The pharmacist, pharmacy assistant, and pharmacy owner provide a wide range of healthcare services in community pharmacies and healthcare hubs. Their community responsibilities positioned them to help manage the COVID-19 pandemic and boost a country’s pandemic response and readiness.
Objectives: To determine the attitudes and behaviors of the pharmacy workforce before and during the pandemic and to determine the impact of COVID-19 on the changes in attitudes and behaviors of the pharmacy workforce.
Method: A descriptive, phenomenological study was conducted among thirty participants, ten pharmacists, pharmacy assistants, and pharmacy owners. They were interviewed face-to-face about their attitudes and behaviors while working in a community pharmacy before and during the pandemic using a researcher-made questionnaire where the responses were coded and analyzed using MAXQDA software package version 2022.
Results: The participants’ responses were analyzed, and they have enumerated their job description, standard operating procedures, work satisfaction, and dissatisfaction before and during the pandemic. The majority of those responses were similar. Clinical-related practices, pharmacy management, and inventory management were the everyday work they did before and during the pandemic. Work satisfaction remained upbeat despite the pandemic. However, stress and fear were felt during the pandemic.
Conclusion: COVID-19 impacted the pharmacy workforce. The workforce’s responses showed stress and fear during the pandemic. Little change was observed in how work was done before and during the pandemic. They became more aware of government health protocols during the pandemic. The workforce is more cautious about hygienic practices and avoids direct patient/customer contact during the pandemic. The pharmacy workforce is more committed to following government rules.