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Pharmacy work is demanding. One minute you’re at the drive thru. The next, you’re answering phone calls or submitting vaccination claims. A day in the pharmacy can feel like both a marathon and a sprint — and you get to do it all over again the next morning. While many of us love the work we do, fatigue and burnout become an inevitability.
Burnout is a very real concern. It's easy to find yourself caught in a cycle of relentless work, risking your well-being in the process. However, prioritizing your mental and physical health is crucial for both your personal happiness and professional success.
Let’s go into the ins and outs of workplace burnout and how you can alleviate it.
Before we can effectively prevent burnout, it's important to understand what it is and why it happens. Burnout is not simply feeling tired or stressed — it's a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress.
Burnout is quite common in the pharmacy, a fast-paced workplace that requires urgency and a precise attention to detail. A paper from UIC Pharmacy shows that 9 in 10 pharmacists are at high risk for burnout. In short, burnout is a matter of when, not if.
Burnout often develops gradually, making it easy to overlook the warning signs until it's too late. However, by familiarizing yourself with the symptoms of burnout, you can take action before it reaches a critical point. Common signs of burnout include:
If you're experiencing any of these symptoms on a regular basis, it's important to take them seriously and seek support.
In general, burnout is caused by a perpetually heavy workload. Pharmacy work demands the most and best of you on a daily basis — it’s completely normal to hit a wall at one point.
The pharmacy industry is constantly going through a state of flux, from DIR fees and pharmacist walkouts to eventual PBM reform. The uncertainty of several aspects of the industry can lead to stress, even when you leave for the day.
Even so, the pharmacy world is always turning, so it’s best to be with the times (our latest episode of Catalyst Catch-Up from our pharmacy podcasts can steer you in the right direction).
Addressing burnout requires acknowledging its presence. Before making any improvements in your pharmacy, conduct an honest evaluation of yourself and your team. Schedule a team meeting where pharmacists, technicians, and support staff can openly share their thoughts and feelings about their roles. Cultivate a supportive environment and encourage discussions on stressors and levels of burnout, ensuring everyone is aligned.
Once you find the root of the problem, work towards a solution by reconnecting with the motivations that initially drove you into pharmacy. Reflect on what initially inspired you, whether it was the thirst for knowledge, innovation, or helping your community. Identify these sources of motivation and consider how to reintegrate them into your current practice.
Burnout can occur as a symptom of good ol’ cabin fever. Curb burnout by seeking avenues for simply getting out of your pharmacy. Engage in continuous education, attend conferences such as PioneerRx’s Catalyst Connect (click the flame icon in your PioneerRx pharmacy software to register), and explore resources like the Catalyst Pharmacy Podcast or blog to stay inspired. Progression in your practice leads to greater satisfaction and fulfillment.
Enhance job satisfaction by aligning tasks with your interests. Much like the “Find Your Why section,” identify activities that resonate with you, whether it involves direct patient interaction, administrative work, or exploring new clinical services. Similarly, encourage team members to share their interests and find ways to integrate them into daily responsibilities, fostering a cohesive team environment.
Combat feelings of overwhelm and burnout by distributing tasks evenly among the team. Assess each member's workload and responsibilities, ensuring a fair distribution of tasks. Consider delegating assignments based on individual talents (some techs excel in submitting claims whereas others thrive in face-to-face patient interactions).
Reduce workload by utilizing a range of resources, including tangible assets like equipment and efficient pharmacy software like PioneerRx. Investing in innovative tools and technologies streamlines operations and eases the burden on staff, contributing to a healthier work environment.
As a PioneerRx user, you have a wealth of resources and features at your disposal. Visit our Pharmacy System page to learn more.
Boost team morale and reduce burnout by cultivating a sense of commitment and ownership among team members. Encourage buy-in by involving employees in decision-making processes and fostering a culture of collaboration and shared goals.
Promote employee retention by expressing appreciation for their contributions. Cultivate a culture of recognition and respect within the team, acknowledging individual efforts and achievements. Demonstrating appreciation fosters a positive work environment and strengthens team cohesion.
Burnout is one of the most pressing problems in pharmacy right now. Feeling burnt out doesn’t mean that you should quit, though. It simply means that you should press in and work to return to your original passion. With your team by your side, you can make it happen.
