Under Pressure - Pharmacist's perceptions of the effects of postgraduate education on their wellbeing: a qualitative study

O'Byrne, Rose-Marie; White, Simon; Chew-Graham, Carolyn

Abstract

Background:
A 2019 NHS commission on the mental wellbeing of healthcare postgraduate learners reported research largely focused on doctors in training and identified the need for further research into the wellbeing needs and ways to support wellbeing in postgraduate learning for other healthcare professions (HEE 2019).

Aim:
To explore the effects of postgraduate education on the reported wellbeing of working pharmacists.

Methods:
Following institutional ethical approval, an email invitation was sent to students studying a part-time clinical pharmacy postgraduate distance-learning diploma course. Semi-structured interviews were conducted using Microsoft Teams with all students who volunteered to participate. The interview guide was based on the existing literature and covered: reasons for distance learning, reported effects of combining work and study, perceived effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on wellbeing. These topics were explored in interviews using open, non-leading questions with follow up questions according to participants' responses. Recruitment continued until data saturation was achieved. Interviews were recorded with consent, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed (Clark & Braun 2017)

Results:
Twelve interviews were conducted, and four themes were identified: Feeling under pressure to do a diploma for career progression; Inconsistency between employers in requirements for qualifications; Lack of funding and study-time being key factors impacting on wellbeing (e.g. “Having study time, particularly if it’s like something that you have to do to progress at work, they should be facilitating”). Studying during the COVID-19 pandemic was also reported to negatively affect some students’ wellbeing.

Discussion:
Despite being limited to students from one University, these findings add to the literature that studying whilst working, may negatively affect the wellbeing of pharmacists if not adequately supported. The findings of this study highlight the need for employers to consider funding and study leave for pharmacists to help negate the negative effects on wellbeing experienced by some students.

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (unpublished)
• Conference Name: Pharmacy Education Conference 2022
• Conference Location: Stopford Building, Oxford Road, The University of Manchester, UK
• Start Date: Sep 12, 2022
• End Date: Sep 12, 2022
• Deposit Date: Jun 28, 2023
• Keywords: Pharmacist, Postgraduate education, Qualitative methods, Wellbeing
• Publisher URL: https://pharmacyeducation.fip.org/pharmacyeducation/issue/view/76