Pharmacists’ Perception of the Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19) in Jordan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objectives: To analyze the role of pharmacists during the COVID-19 pandemic, to measure pharmacists’ attitude toward COVID-19 safety measures (wearing masks, wearing gloves, isolation shield, good hygiene, etc.), and explore their perspectives regarding a second wave of the virus. Methods: This cross-sectional online survey study was conducted in Jordan during the COVID-19 outbreak in July 2020 to discuss Jordanian pharmacists’ awareness of safety at their workplace during the COVID-19 outbreak, their sources of information, and their predictions for COVID-19 vaccination. Results: The participants (n = 311) were all pharmacists mostly aged between 23–30 years old (45%) and female (83%). The primary source of information about COVID-19 was social networking (38.9%). Pharmacists were committed to social distancing (86.5%) and wearing masks (76.2%). They expressed levels of agreement to their role in decreasing COVID-19 spread (94.2%) and correcting false information (94.5%); they expressed levels of expectation toward concern about a second COVID-19 wave (83%) that would be more severe than the previous one (43.4%). Pharmacists expected that an influenza vaccine might be helpful in decreasing severity and spread of the COVID-19 pandemic (56.9%). Pharmacists expected COVID-19 vaccine development within 6 months of administering our study survey (84.9%) and that vaccination might be effective in preventing COVID-19 (93%) infection. Conclusion: Pharmacists expressed positive roles on COVID-19 spread through exemplary actions, self-commitment to protection measures, and public health awareness. Social media as a source of health information should be cautiously investigated, and pharmacists should always refer to evidence-based sources. The role of pharmacists is particularly important for the upcoming era of COVID-19 vaccination administration and awareness.

Adaptations in the role of pharmacists under the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Although most survey participants in the cross-sectional studies were pharmacists, several studies included customers or patients using community pharmacies [ 17 , 43 ], home treatment patients [ 42 ], and community residents [ 5 ] whose responses also indicated pharmacy practices regarding COVID-19. In this study, the largest number of studies on pharmacists’ practices regarding COVID-19 came from the West Asian region with 9 studies [ 7 , 11 , 17 , 32 , 39 – 42 , 44 ], the most common country of origin for studies was Jordan [ 17 , 32 , 39 , 40 ].…”

“…Especially in an emergency situation in the setting of an emerging infectious disease pandemic, pharmacists must adjust their role to place greater emphasis on providing necessary information, conducting consultations and educating local residents. In addition, to augment the information publicly accessible via the media or the internet [ 3 , 9 , 36 , 39 ], pharmacists have greater access to reliable scientific information from international organizations such as the World Health Organization and scientific and medical evidence than do the public they serve [ 4 , 11 , 32 , 35 , 41 ]. This education is the most effective and crucial way to provide information to local residents.…”

Attitudes and perceptions of Jordanian pharmacy students toward deprescribing: a cross-sectional study

“…Pharmacists are the foundation of safer and more efficient health care system especially after the change of pharmacy profession from traditional dispensing techniques to more patient-centered care as a result of improvements in pharmacy practice and the introduction of pharmaceutical care. 21,22 Therefore, pharmacists should be prepared for deprescribing practices to address the complex requirements of patients. 7,23,24 Additionally, it's crucial for pharmacy students to have deprescribing knowledge and skills.…”

An investigation into the information-seeking behaviour of professionals, working within the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector in Ireland

“…During the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which the World Health Organisation described as an “infodemic”, a phenomenon where false and misleading information can result “to mistrust in health authorities and undermines the public health response” (2022), the importance of regulatory processes of pharmaceutical products was further intensified. A number of studies also stressed the accessibility of community pharmacists (Baratta et al ., 2021, p. 18) and as an extension their “responsibility in providing accurate patient education and health information” (Al-Daghastani et al. , 2021, p. 10).…”