Intra and Inter-professional working: how have pharmacists’ working practices changed during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Abstract

Introduction: COVID-19 has acted as a catalyst for radical changes in the working practices of pharmacists. Whilethere is emerging evidence of adaptability mitigating burnoutamongst pharmacists in other countries (1), what has yet tobe established is the extent to which the well-being and resilience of pharmacists in the UK may be supported throughchanges in intra and inter-professional working practices. Aim(s): As part of a wider project aiming to explore the impact of COVID-19 on pharmacists' wellbeing and resilience,in this abstract we present findings exploring the impact onworking relationships within pharmacy and multidisciplinary teams. Method(s): An online questionnaire containing validatedmeasures of wellbeing and resilience and free-text openquestions exploring the impact of COVID-19 on workingpractices was piloted on five practising pharmacists. Thisquestionnaire was subsequently distributed via social mediaand professional networks in June 2020. Convenience sampling was used whereby any UK-registered pharmacist in apatient-facing role was eligible to take part. Inductive thematic analysis of the free text responses was conducted. Thisabstract presents one key theme; intra and inter-professionalrelationships. Result(s): A total of 202 questionnaires were completed(Table 1), with 192 participants entering free-text responses. Participants reported pharmacy teams becoming closer,supporting one another and working more cohesively. Workredesign and staff upskilling were given as positive examplesof practice change in response to the pandemic. Reportedchallenges included managing conflict within a team due toheightened stress, sustaining staff morale, exhaustion, andprioritising others to the detriment of their own wellbeing:"I have no time for myself as I'm too busy keeping the dayto day working and supporting my team emotionally. I'memotionally exhausted and at home I withdraw and ignorethe outside world as I'm at breaking point but don't want mycolleagues to see this."Inter-professional relationships sometimes improved as aresult of more effective communication, extended networkingand pharmacists feeling valued and recognised as integralto multidisciplinary working. Supportive inter-professionalworking was described as a "Great sense of comradery-we're in this together". Yet for others, inter-professionalworking proved challenging, with non-engagement of clinicians, frequently changing guidance from senior management, and restricted staff interaction due to remote or shiftworking. Conclusion(s): Whilst for some the pandemic facilitated improved inter-and intra-professional interactions, for othersthis was viewed as challenges of daily practice. Due to recruiting via social media, this study is limited by the responsenumbers and is therefore not representative of all UK registered pharmacists. However, a key strength is that pharmacists from all sectors of practice responded, in comparisonto other studies which have focused solely on communitypharmacists. Results from this study can be used to supportsustainable change in fostering collaborative working withinpharmacy and multi-professional healthcare teams.