Fighting Burnout: Tips for Pharmacists & Pharmacy Owners in a Post-Pandemic World
The COVID-19 pandemic brought a wave of changes to the healthcare industry. As primary care providers became overwhelmed with the influx of patients, many pharmacists stepped up to provide vital services — like COVID testing, vaccination, and treatment — to their communities.
This sudden increase in workload, combined with the general stress of the pandemic, caused many pharmacists and pharmacy staff members to feel burned out — a problem that persists to this day. According to a recent article from the University of Illinois at Chicago, 68% of pharmacists have reported symptoms of burnout. Unfortunately, as the demand for healthcare services continues to increase, the pressure on pharmacists and pharmacy staff members is only going to rise. In fact, a recent article by The Weekly Ringer warns that if pharmacies don't take steps to combat pharmacist burnout, it could lead to serious long-term consequences — like a decrease in patient care quality and staff retention.
In this blog post, we will explore some practical tips for pharmacists and pharmacy owners to help mitigate burnout among their staff and keep their teams motivated and engaged.
Tip #1: Prioritize Self Care
Pharmacists are often known for putting their patients' wellbeing above their own. However, to provide quality care to patients, it's crucial that pharmacy staff members prioritize their own self-care. Encourage your team to take time off when needed. Motivate them to prioritize healthy eating and exercise. Make sure they have time to engage in activities they enjoy outside of work. By taking care of themselves, they will be better equipped to care for their patients.
Tip #2: Provide Opportunities for Learning and Growth
Continuous education and growth opportunities can help pharmacists feel stimulated and energized in their work. Offering opportunities for additional training or certification programs can be a great way to keep staff engaged. Additionally, allowing staff to become cross-trained in different areas of the pharmacy can help them feel more confident in their abilities and provide new challenges. Plus, cross training will help on days when there are fewer staff in the store, like when you're following Tip #1 and encouraging employees to take time off when needed.
Tip #3: Foster a Positive Work Environment
Traditionally, one of the biggest causes of burnout is a negative work environment. As a pharmacy owner or manager, it's important to foster a positive and supportive workplace culture. Encourage open communication, provide regular feedback and recognition, and actively work to prevent and address conflict within the team. Also, be aware of the challenges your staff may be facing with patients, as well as the more difficult conversations that could be taking place at the counter. A little understanding goes a long way.
Tip #4: Streamline Work Processes
Too much to do and too little time to do it can contribute to burnout. By streamlining work processes and implementing efficient technology, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians can better manage their workload and focus on what's most important. Consider implementing pharmacy software solutions that can automate the most time-consuming tasks to reduce your staff's manual workload. For example, an interactive voice response (IVR) system can reduce the number of calls your team members have to answer while they're trying to navigate their workflows.
Tip #5: Encourage Work-Life Balance
The blurred line between work and home life during the pandemic made it difficult for the average employee to establish a healthy work-life balance. Now that things are starting to return to normal, many of us are still experiencing that struggle, including your pharmacy staff. Encourage your staff to set boundaries and make time for their personal lives, even if that means setting limits on work hours or taking time off. By respecting their time outside of work, you'll create a more loyal and motivated team.
Improving Quality of Care
As the healthcare industry continues to navigate the challenges brought about by the pandemic, it's crucial that pharmacists and pharmacy owners prioritize the wellbeing of their staff. By providing opportunities for learning and growth, fostering a positive work environment, and encouraging self-care and work-life balance, you can help reduce the risk of burnout and keep your team engaged and motivated. By taking these steps, you'll not only benefit your staff, but you'll also improve the quality of care provided to your patients.