Changes in Japanese Pharmacists’ Recognition of Their Role in Community Public Health before and after the Spread of COVID-19

Abstract

Background: In our previous study regarding infection prevention after COVID-19, many Japanese citizen respondents had not received education/training on infection prevention. However, a total of 47.7% (n = 143) of these respondents wanted to receive education from healthcare professionals regarding the methods and effects of infection prevention. Therefore, changes in recognition of the roles of Japanese pharmacists before and after COVID-19 were investigated. Methods: We conducted a survey to determine whether recognition of Japanese pharmacists’ roles, especially their role in public health in the community, changed after COVID-19. Results: A total of 93.9% (n = 307) of the pharmacist respondents showed an increased awareness of infection prevention. Before COVID-19, the hospital pharmacists (67.2%; n = 80) were more aware of infection prevention than were pharmacy pharmacists (51.7%; n = 74) and drugstore pharmacists (47.7%; n = 31). The number of pharmacists who felt that the role of pharmacists in the community had changed after the pandemic increased, but the numbers of community pharmacy pharmacists (51.8%; n = 74) and drugstore pharmacists (55.4%; n = 36) were found to be slightly higher than those of hospital pharmacists (47.9%; n = 57). Conclusions: In a society in which swift responses and changes are required, for individuals to work as medical personnel their ability to respond while always being aware of the needs of society is required now more than ever.

Physicians’ and Nurses’ Perceptions of Pharmacists’ Competencies, and Their Needs of Pharmacists during COVID-19

“…Along these lines, in a study in 2021, more than 70% (212/300) of pharmacists answered that they were not confident that they could correctly or appropriately instruct citizens in relation to "infection prevention methods or various vaccine information, etc." [23]. Nevertheless, these activities are characteristic of their roles as pharmacists in the community.…”

A Scoping Review on the Expected Role of Community Pharmacists in the Era of COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis Across OECD Countries

“…1은 최종 분석에 포함된 27개 연구 논문의 선정과정을 도식화한 것이다. 26,36) 포함된 논문 대부분이 기술(記述)적 단면 연구로 간주할 수 있는 연구설계방법으로 수행되었다. 절반에 이르는 13개(48.1%) 논문은 설문조사를 실시하였다.…”

“…28,31) (의약품 조제를 제 외하면) 대면으로 이루어지던 서비스가 줄어들거나 중단되었 으며, 28,32) 연구에 참여한 약국종사자들은 이러한 상호작용의 축소로 발생하는 코로나19 또는 의약품 관련 오정보에 대해 우려를 나타내었다. 27,28,31,[35][36][37]39,45) 상담시간 및 상담 내용의 포괄성을 평가한 한 연구는 약사가 유용한 정보제공자임을 보고하였다. an increase in customer traffic to their pharmacy 81% an increase in being asking relevant questions with flu-like symptoms before signposting them to the appropriate care 75% willing to offer their assistance for mass testing of Covid-19 53%…”

“…24) 약사의 환자 대상 전염 병 예방 교육은 더욱 확대되어야 할 서비스로 판단하였다 36). 코로나 증상을 식별하여 잠재적 환자를 적절히 의뢰하는 서비 스 제공도 증가하였다 39).…”

A study of pharmacists' resilience-enhancing behaviours to improve pharmacy student resiliency in Japan

“…Despite the differences in their roles, pharmacists worldwide played a vital role in the delivery of healthcare through the COVID-19 pandemic from early in 2020. In Japan, pharmacists focused on infection prevention education to the public and prepared the vaccine solutions for the injections given by nurses, dentists, and doctors (Kyodo News, 2021;Mamiya & Yoshida, 2021). Many pharmacists volunteered to assist at the mass vaccination centres by preparing the solutions on top of their regular duties.…”