The impact of COVID-19 on pharmacist working within Scottish general practice: a national survey

Background : The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted healthcare worldwide, disrupting services in 90% of countries. Whilst studies have reported impacts on general practitioners, few have explored the impact on pharmacy personnel. This study explored the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the working practice, professional development and job satisfaction of pharmacists and technicians working within Scottish general practice.

Methods: An online questionnaire was distributed in Scotland (May-July 2021) through pharmacy healthcare networks, approximately 15 months since initial COVID-19 lockdown measures. The questionnaire was informed by literature and underwent expert review and piloting. Analysis involved descriptive statistics, non-parametric statistical tests, and thematic analysis.

Results: In total, 180 participants responded (approx. 16.1% response rate); 134 pharmacists (74.4%) and 46 technicians (25.6%). Responses indicate greater involvement with administrative tasks and a reduction in advanced clinical services, both negatively perceived by pharmacists. Most participants retained a physical presence within general practice, albeit alongside a notable increase in remote working. Telephone consults were considered less effective, and a statistically significant reduction in satisfaction with the level of patient contact was observed (p
Conclusion: The pandemic impacted pharmacists and technicians. It is unknown if challenges identified are transient or permanent, and there is a need to understand which elements of remote working should continue. Future research should explore the impact of altered service delivery on patient care.