Examining Roles Pharmacists Assume in Disasters: A Content Analytic Approach

Abstract

Pharmacists' adoption of nonpharmaceutical supply roles may represent a problem of accepting a paradigm shift in nontraditional roles. Possible shortages of personnel in future disasters may change the pharmacists' approach to disaster management.

Burning questions: Exploring the impact of natural disasters on community pharmacies

“…A literature search of the databases PubMed, EMBASE and Google Scholar yielded several peer-reviewed journal articles that investigated the impacts of Hurricane Katrina in the US and the role that pharmacists played during this disaster. [14][15][16][17][18] This specific search strategy failed to yield any peer-reviewed journal articles relating to community pharmacy operations in Australia during a natural disaster. However, there were a limited number of articles in non-peer reviewed pharmacy trade magazines related to the role of pharmacists during natural disasters (see Burton K. [19][20][21][22] and Waterman C.…”

Defining, Describing, and Categorizing Public Health Infrastructure Priorities for Tropical Cyclone, Flood, Storm, Tornado, and Tsunami-Related Disasters

“…45,51,52 In a disaster situation, Internet and intranet systems allow access, monitoring, and transmission of information required to prepare and respond to a disaster. 30,40,42,48,53,54 Telephony allows people to verbally discuss and share information. 23,28,48,50 Media was identified as a mechanism for communicating on social networks, radio, television, and other means used to share information.…”

“…56,59,60,63 Governance Governance was described as agreements, command, control and coordination (leadership), planning (business continuity and policy), disaster system, finance and funding, and laws (enforcement and administration). 23,35,36,[44][45][46]48,51,53,59,63,64,[66][67][68][69][70][71][72] Agreements referred to arrangements and partnerships in place between agencies and organizations to prepare and respond to a disaster. 46,67 Command, control, and coordination was described as the systems and processes used to prevent duplication of activities and enhance efficiency of available resources (for example, military support).…”

“…36,44,48,51,64,[66][67][68] Planning referred to preparations undertaken for disasters, including elements of the disaster system (for example, emergency management committee) and policy development. 40,46,53,63,67,69,72 Finance and funding referred to commodities and accessing funds required to ensure appropriate activities before, during, and after a disaster. 23,35,45 Laws were described as the legislative frameworks to protect and…”

“…The descriptions for services included business, hygiene (disinfection and filtration), medical (clinics, pharmacies, and utilities), public health, military, and social. 23,32,[37][38][39][40]45,46,50,51,53,54,56,58,[60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71]77,80,82,83,85,86,88 Business referred to the functionality of health companies including food businesses. 23,70 Hygiene was the need to prevent infection and spread of disease.…”