Professional self-image among Israeli pharmacists: sectoral differences

Area of Science:

• Pharmacy Practice
• Sociology of Professions

Background:

• Professional activities and self-perception among pharmacists can vary significantly across different practice settings.
• Understanding these differences is crucial for professional development and public perception.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the professional activities and self-images of pharmacists across private, community, and hospital sectors in Israel.
• To identify any intersectoral variations in perceived rewards and professional standing.

Main Methods:

• A survey was administered to 145 pharmacists from private, community, and hospital sectors.
• The survey assessed professional rewards and evaluated pharmacists' professional and sectoral self-image.

Main Results:

• Few intersectoral differences were observed in the professional activities and rewards of Israeli pharmacists.
• Pharmacists identified secure employment, intellectual challenge, and responsibility as key rewards in the public sector, and high income, responsibility, and counseling opportunities in the private sector.
• Despite high job satisfaction (90.7% would choose pharmacy again), pharmacy was ranked low (8th of 9) among professions, indicating a poor professional image. Pharmacists in private and hospital sectors perceived higher social status for their sectors compared to the community sector.

Conclusions:

• Pharmacists exhibit a notably inferior professional self-image despite acknowledging the profession's rewards.
• The disparity between job satisfaction and professional self-perception warrants further in-depth investigation.