Roles of community pharmacists in managing negative effects

Abstract

Background and Aims: The main objective of this study was to examine the negative impacts experienced by community pharmacists in Türkiye and explore their methods for addressing these challenges. By gaining a better understanding of these factors, this study offers valuable insights that can enhance the effectiveness and safety of community pharmacies. Methods: This study employed a comprehensive survey to gather data from community pharmacists throughout Türkiye. The survey addressed the following key areas: Demographic Information, Medication Errors and Patient Counselling, Stock Management, Financial Management, and intra-pharmaceutical communication. The survey was distributed electronically using Google Forms. The data obtained from the survey was analyzed using SPSS version 22. Descriptive statistics, such as frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations, were employed to summarize the demographic characteristics of the participants and their responses to the survey questions. Results: Of the 96 pharmacists who willingly participated in the study, 60.4% were female and 39.6% were male. The analysis revealed no significant differences in medication errors and patient counselling according to gender, responsible management period, or pharmacy location, but a significant difference was found among age groups (p<0.05), with higher mean scores for those aged 35 years and below. In stock management, significant differences were observed based on the responsible management period (p<0.05), with higher scores for those with 10 years or less experience. Financial management showed significant differences by age and gender (p<0.05), with higher scores for those aged 35 years and below and lower scores for females compared to males. In intra-pharmacy communication, significant differences were noted according to pharmacy location and gender (p<0.05), with lower scores observed near hospitals and among females. Conclusion: Community pharmacists can improve their well-being and the quality of their services by effectively mitigating negative effects. Important strategies for managing these challenges include organizing time efficiently, managing stress, joining support groups, continuously engaging in professional development, and staying informed about legal and ethical rights.

Keywords

• Financial management
• Patient counselling
• Pharmacy management
• Pharmacy services
• Stock management

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