A longitudinal study of UK pharmacists' resilience, burnout and wellbeing throughout the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased pressure on healthcare services globally. However, the impact of this prolonged and everchanging pressure on pharmacist wellbeing, burnout and resilience is unexplored. Objective: To explore the changes in resilience, burnout and wellbeing for pharmacists longitudinally from June 2020 to March 2021. Methods: An online survey was distributed via social media in June/July 2020. Any UK pharmacist in a patient facing role (community, GP and hospital) was eligible to participate. Pharmacists were asked to leave their email address at the end of the survey if they wished to participate in follow-up surveys, which were distributed in October/November 2020 and February/March 2021. Surveys included validated scales to explore resilience (CD-RISC 10), burnout (OLBI) and wellbeing (transformed SWEMWBS). Qualitative free text comments on challenges faced, positive changes in working practice, and support needed were collected. Results: 202 responses were collected in June/July 2020. Of 145 that consented to continue participation, 87 responded in October/November 2020 and 85 in February/March 2021. Mean scores in June/July 2020 showed lower than the population mean for pharmacist wellbeing (transformed SWEMWBS 21.5) and resilience (CDRISC-10 26.8) and high burnout (OLBI 40.4). There were no significant changes in scores over time, demonstrating sustained poor wellbeing, resilience and risk of burnout. In February/March 2021, those with more years since registration had higher wellbeing and resilience and lower burnout scores. Over the course of the study, pharmacists reported multiple causes of stress, including workload, patient demands, lack of protected breaks and poor local and national management. Support from colleagues was described to be the most useful resource to manage this stress. Conclusion: This study has illustrated the experience and impact of prolonged work within stressful situations for UK pharmacists.