A cross-sectional survey on community pharmacists readiness to fight COVID-19 in a developing country: knowledge, attitude, and practice in Lebanon

Abstract

Background Lebanon, a developing Middle Eastern country, was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic that occurred amid a severe national economic crisis. Community pharmacists are responsible for dispensing appropriate medications and products in addition to counseling, informing and educating the public, and promoting disease prevention and infection control. Objective This study aimed to assess community pharmacists' knowledge, attitude, and practice towards the COVID-19 pandemic and evaluate behavior changes and safety measures. Methods An anonymous and standardized online questionnaire in English was disseminated via social media platforms to Lebanese community pharmacists. The questionnaire consisted of 95 items designed as Likert-scales and multiple-choice questions divided into four different sections: socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge-based, attitude-based, and pharmacy practice questions. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to summarize the demographic characteristics, and indices were created for knowledge, attitude, and practice by computing the correct answers for each section. Results A total of 310 questionnaires were completed. Around 61% have expressed their fear of getting infected with COVID-19 due to occupational exposure. The respondents were able to answer 80–90% of the knowledge-based questions of the survey. A more careful/anxious attitude, but not knowledge, was associated with overall better practice (p = 0.03). Also, respondents stated that they are dispensing protective equipment items such as masks (87%), gloves (60%), and sanitizers (77%) in small quantities due to limited availability. Conclusion Our findings revealed an adequate level of knowledge and good practice towards COVID-19 among Lebanese community pharmacists. Their fears of contracting the virus and compromising the safety of those around them are justified. However, their supply of protective equipment is limited.

A national study on the resilience of community pharmacists in Lebanon: a cross-sectional survey

“…The additional workload imposed by the pandemic on pharmacists is another risk factor for burnout [33]. Indeed, and consistent with other studies, community pharmacists were afraid of getting the virus or passing it on to their loved ones [34]. As such, extra pressure from the pandemic might have imposed additional burdens on pharmacists and led to difficulties with work-life balance, and consequently, reduced their job satisfaction.…”

Pharmacy education and workforce: strategic recommendations based on expert consensus in Lebanon

“…Initial education Core competencies initial suggestion [48] Core competencies framework validation [49] Core competencies assessment [50] Preceptors' skills and competencies framework [51] Specialized competencies suggestion [52] Interprofessional education experience and suggestions [53][54][55] Computer literacy scale validation among pharmacists [56] Continuing education (CE) Continuing education assessment [57] Continuing education preference [58,59] Continuing education value and motivation [60] Job market and workforce situation Workforce oversupply and future projections [10] Mismatch between education and labor market [61] Governance solutions for workforce problems [62] Pharmacy specialties recognition (credentialing) [63] Early career training in Lebanon and benchmarking towards the FIP Global Competency Framework [64] Empathy towards patients among pharmacists [65] Quality of life of pharmacists [66] Burnout among community pharmacists [67,68] Financial situation analysis of pharmacists [69] Community pharmacists' readiness for COVID-19 [70] Physical Health of pharmacists [71] Unapproved suggested laws and decisions Legal documents suggestions by the Lebanese Order of Pharmacists: Clinical pharmacy law; Numerus clausus law, Pharmacy education prolongation, credentials recognition and Early career training [72] Licensure assessment improvement (colloquium) [72] Experiential education organization [73] Ready-to-apply educational project Standards for pharmacy education accreditation & Guidance for pharmacy programs accreditation [74] Practice Good Pharmacy Practice standards suggestion [75] Good Pharmacy Practice assessment [76] Medication safety assessment [77]…”

Emerging Roles of Community Pharmacist in Public Health: A Review on ASIA

“…Be it global, national, state, regional, and institutional, the pharmacists have a responsibility to promote public health [66]. In this article review, several interventions have highlighted the emerging roles of community pharmacists on public health especially on smoking cessation [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14], weight management [15][16][17][18]68], COVID-19 [58][59][60][61], chronic disease management [19][20][21][22][23][24][25]62], drug misuse prevention and management [26][27][28][29][30][31], and immunization and vaccination [32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46].…”