Evaluation of Job Satisfaction and Job Related Stress Among Community Pharmacists in North Khartoum and its Impact on Providing Pharmaceutical Care Services

Abstract

Introduction Pharmacists and pharmaceutical care services are among the most important tools in providing health services to the society. Pharmacists as the key players in presenting health services, critically impact on the health of the society and if they suffer low job satisfaction, their dissatisfaction may relatively threaten health in the society. This study was conducted to determine Sudanese community pharmacists’ job satisfaction and additionally, some causes of dissatisfaction among community pharmacists and their impact on providing pharmaceutical care services have been evaluated. Method The questionnaire was designed after reviewing relevant Literature in addition, The Job Satisfaction survey was used to measure the level of community pharmacists’ satisfaction with their current jobs, and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) was used to evaluate emotional experience and awareness. Results and Discussion Generally low scores of job satisfaction were concluded among pharmacists while most of them were highly satisfied with being pharmacist. Conclusion Low levels of job satisfaction which were found among Sudanese community pharmacists could be considered as a deficiency of health system in Sudan. Fortunately, inherent interest in the pharmacy profession found among Sudanese pharmacists is an optimistic point at which policy-makers could develop their modifying policies. Health policy-makers must endeavor to take other steps to issue solutions for this current problem.

Gender and Pharmacists’ Career Satisfaction in the United States

“…A total of 737 pharmacists participated in the study by providing answers to all relevant questions for a response rate of 32.6%. The number of observations compared favorably with those reported by similar undertakings in different parts of the world [ 15 , 18 , 23 , 24 , 30 , 31 , 43 , 47 , 58 , 59 ]. Of the 737 participants, 57.3% were men and 42.7% were women.…”

Assessment of job satisfaction among community pharmacists in Baghdad, Iraq: a cross-sectional study

“…This is in contrast to studies from developed countries that showed community pharmacists reporting less satisfaction on the same items. 6 , 13 Further investigations about this scenario are needed.…”

“…Female pharmacists were more satisfied with their jobs than male pharmacists, which reflects previous indications that females tend to show higher stability in pharmacy position than males. 1 , 6 Male pharmacists preferred to pursue more challenging pharmaceutical work such as being a medical representative. 17 Another finding revealed that older pharmacists had the highest relative level of job satisfaction.…”

“… 5 Pharmacists dissatisfaction with their working lives may lead to incorrectly filled prescriptions, negligence in detecting adverse drug reactions and poor patient contact. 5 , 6 Further, it may affect patient interaction with the pharmacist and the perception of pharmacy service promotion. In Iraq, societal attitudes towards community pharmacy services have been found to be rather weak.…”

“…The literature on this scenario showed job satisfaction to be a product of internal and external effects including the internal effect of pharmacist performance, provided service quality, absenteeism, and intention to quit position. 3 , 6 External effects were characterised by the pharmacist’s life outside the scope of work. 9 Particularly, the serious country conditions that have affected Iraqi pharmacists during substantial span of time.…”