Have you ever gone to your local pharmacy and had to wait in a long line just to pick up your medication? Or have you ever had trouble finding a pharmacist to answer your questions about your prescription? If so, you may have experienced the consequences of a growing problem in the healthcare industry – pharmacist shortage.
In recent years, there has been a significant shortage of pharmacists in the United States and other parts of the world.
This shortage is impacting patient care in many ways, from long wait times to medication errors and reduced access to important healthcare services.
In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at the consequences of pharmacist shortage on patient care, exploring the reasons behind the shortage and its impact on both patients and the healthcare system as a whole.
But, first…
Why is there a pharmacist shortage in USA?
According to a recent survey, a whopping 75% of independent pharmacies report staff shortages, leading to longer wait times for patients in over half of those pharmacies.
Yikes!!
So, why is this happening?
Well, one of the main reasons is that there aren’t many opportunities for pharmacists to advance in their careers.
When they feel like they’re stuck in the same position with no chance of moving up, they’re more likely to leave the field altogether.
Another problem is burnout, which is affecting pharmacists and leading to labor shortages and higher prices.
That means pharmacies are having to work their staff longer hours just to keep up with the workload….which isn’t sustainable in the long run.
If we want to avoid a pharmacist shortage in USA, we need to take a hard look at the issues that are causing burnout and staffing shortages.
This means addressing problems with:
- working conditions,
- staffing,
- and productivity measures.
It won’t be easy…but it’s a challenge we need to tackle if we want to ensure that patients are getting the care they need and deserve.
The REAL shortage
Some organizations representing pharmacists argue that there isn’t a shortage of trained pharmacists but a shortage of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians willing to work under stressful conditions at many pharmacies.
They say that working conditions have become more stressful and demanding (particularly “after” the pandemic), which has put additional strain on healthcare workers.
Regardless of the root cause of the shortage, it’s clear that something needs to be done to address the issue.
Patients deserve access to the medications and care they need, and pharmacists deserve to work in an environment that supports their ability to provide that care.
It’s time for the industry to look hard at the working conditions and support systems in place for pharmacists.
Only then can we ensure that patients receive the care they need and deserve.
How does this shortage impact patient care?
The pharmacist shortage is not just frustrating; it can have serious consequences for patient’s health.
According to a recent survey conducted by the National State-Based Pharmacy Workplace Study, 75% of the participating pharmacists disagreed with the statement that they “have sufficient time to safely perform patient care and clinical duties.”
That’s a BIG problem as it means that they have to rush through their work. This can lead to mistakes and other errors that can impact patient health.
71% of the surveyed pharmacists said that there simply aren’t enough pharmacists working to meet patient care and clinical duties.
And 65% said that the payment for pharmacy services doesn’t support their ability to meet both clinical and non-clinical duties.
In other words –> they’re being stretched too thin, and it’s impacting their ability to provide the care that patients need.
All of this adds up to a dangerous situation for patients.
When pharmacists are overworked and stressed out, they’re more likely to make mistakes that can impact the health of patients.
Many pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are not willing to work under these conditions. Therefore, it’s not likely to get better anytime soon.
The pharmacist shortage also means that patients must wait longer to fill their prescriptions. Tb can be especially problematic for those who rely on medications to manage chronic conditions.
This delay can lead to missed doses, which can, in turn, lead to serious health complications.
To wrap it up!
At the end of the day, the pharmacist shortage is a real problem that can have dire consequences for patients.
No one wants to wait longer than necessary for their medications… or receive subpar care.
But the issue isn’t just about a lack of trained pharmacists.
It’s about a lack of willingness to work in highly stressful environments with high workloads.
What this means is that….We need to find ways to support our hardworking pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, so they can perform their jobs effectively and provide the best possible care to patients.
