The influence of COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of pharmacists as frontline health care providers in Nepal

Background: Due to COVID-19, pharmacists have been exposed to a variety of dangers that have an impact on their mental health. The study highlights that impact of COVID-19 and work led to burnout among them. Thus, it is necessary to offer mental health services. Aims: To assess the impact of COVID-1...

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Main Authors: Subesha Adhikari, Sarina Pradhan Kasaju, Uma Langkulsen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-04-01
Series:Heliyon
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024051636
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author Subesha Adhikari
Sarina Pradhan Kasaju
Uma Langkulsen
author_facet Subesha Adhikari
Sarina Pradhan Kasaju
Uma Langkulsen
author_sort Subesha Adhikari
collection DOAJ
description Background: Due to COVID-19, pharmacists have been exposed to a variety of dangers that have an impact on their mental health. The study highlights that impact of COVID-19 and work led to burnout among them. Thus, it is necessary to offer mental health services. Aims: To assess the impact of COVID-19 on the work of pharmacy professionals and ascertain the extent of the influence of burnout on mental health among pharmacists working as frontline health providers in Nepal. Methods: Pharmacists from Province 2, 3, and 5 in Nepal participated in a self-administered questionnaire that assessed mental health and wellbeing and burnout using 16-item OLBI. Data was collected from January 2023–March 2023. Independent sample t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation, and linear regression were employed to identify any significant connections between burnout and mental health and wellbeing. Results: Out of 243 participants, COVID-19 pandemic and work was found to have a negative impact on the mental health and wellbeing of a 33.7% of pharmacists. Participants reported having financial issues in 41.6% of cases and 9.5% considered leaving the profession and were concerned about the provision of service quality and making mistakes at work. A strong and meaningful positive relationship and linear regression were observed between exhaustion, disengagement, burnout, mental health and wellbeing. Pharmacists working part-time (p < 0.050) in hospital settings experienced burnout as a result of insufficient training, extended working hours, and stress both on and off the job. Conclusions: Pharmacists are to prioritize a healthy work-life balance, which includes avoiding prolonged shifts >8 h, regular physical exercise and promote open communication among colleagues to address workplace concerns.
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spelling doaj.art-4613a80314024ac1aa2d7dfafae763ca2024-04-05T04:41:23ZengElsevierHeliyon2405-84402024-04-01107e29132The influence of COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of pharmacists as frontline health care providers in NepalSubesha Adhikari0Sarina Pradhan Kasaju1Uma Langkulsen2Faculty of Public Health, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12120, ThailandFaculty of Public Health, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12120, ThailandCorresponding author.; Faculty of Public Health, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12120, ThailandBackground: Due to COVID-19, pharmacists have been exposed to a variety of dangers that have an impact on their mental health. The study highlights that impact of COVID-19 and work led to burnout among them. Thus, it is necessary to offer mental health services. Aims: To assess the impact of COVID-19 on the work of pharmacy professionals and ascertain the extent of the influence of burnout on mental health among pharmacists working as frontline health providers in Nepal. Methods: Pharmacists from Province 2, 3, and 5 in Nepal participated in a self-administered questionnaire that assessed mental health and wellbeing and burnout using 16-item OLBI. Data was collected from January 2023–March 2023. Independent sample t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation, and linear regression were employed to identify any significant connections between burnout and mental health and wellbeing. Results: Out of 243 participants, COVID-19 pandemic and work was found to have a negative impact on the mental health and wellbeing of a 33.7% of pharmacists. Participants reported having financial issues in 41.6% of cases and 9.5% considered leaving the profession and were concerned about the provision of service quality and making mistakes at work. A strong and meaningful positive relationship and linear regression were observed between exhaustion, disengagement, burnout, mental health and wellbeing. Pharmacists working part-time (p < 0.050) in hospital settings experienced burnout as a result of insufficient training, extended working hours, and stress both on and off the job. Conclusions: Pharmacists are to prioritize a healthy work-life balance, which includes avoiding prolonged shifts >8 h, regular physical exercise and promote open communication among colleagues to address workplace concerns.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024051636BurnoutExhaustionDisengagementWellbeingNepal
spellingShingle Subesha Adhikari
Sarina Pradhan Kasaju
Uma Langkulsen
The influence of COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of pharmacists as frontline health care providers in Nepal
Heliyon
Burnout
Exhaustion
Disengagement
Wellbeing
Nepal
title The influence of COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of pharmacists as frontline health care providers in Nepal
title_full The influence of COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of pharmacists as frontline health care providers in Nepal
title_fullStr The influence of COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of pharmacists as frontline health care providers in Nepal
title_full_unstemmed The influence of COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of pharmacists as frontline health care providers in Nepal
title_short The influence of COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of pharmacists as frontline health care providers in Nepal
title_sort influence of covid 19 pandemic on the mental health of pharmacists as frontline health care providers in nepal
topic Burnout
Exhaustion
Disengagement
Wellbeing
Nepal
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024051636
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