Understanding the Risk Factors and Stressors Impacting Optimal Work Practices in New Zealand Pharmacies: A S.H.E.L.L
Lun Shen Wong1, Sanyogita Sanya Ram1, Shane L Scahill1
1School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Grafton Campus, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand.
Pharmacy (Basel, Switzerland)
|June 27, 2023
Summary
New Zealand pharmacists perceive optimal practice is occurring, with factors like fatigue, stress, and communication significantly impacting their work. The S.H.E.L.L. model highlights human factors influencing pharmacy performance.
Area of Science:
- Human factors in healthcare
- Pharmacy practice research
- Occupational health and safety
Background:
- Pharmacist performance is crucial for patient safety and regulatory compliance.
- Human factors, such as those analyzed by the S.H.E.L.L. model, are increasingly recognized as determinants of optimal practice.
- Little is known about the specific S.H.E.L.L. factors affecting New Zealand pharmacists' daily work.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate environmental, team, and organizational factors influencing optimal work practices among New Zealand pharmacists.
- To apply a modified S.H.E.L.L. (Software, Hardware, Environment, Liveware) model to identify risks to optimal pharmacy practice.
- To understand the perceived impact of various factors on the day-to-day practices of pharmacists in New Zealand.
Main Methods:
- An anonymous online questionnaire was distributed to New Zealand pharmacists.
- The questionnaire utilized a modified S.H.E.L.L. model to assess components of the work system.
- Participants were recruited via a subscriber list from the profession's regulatory authority.
Main Results:
- Over 95% of the 260 respondents agreed that knowledge, fatigue, interruptions, complacency, and stress impact optimal practice.
- Key factors for optimal practice included equipment, medication arrangement, lighting, layout, and communication.
- A minority perceived that dispensing processes, standard operating procedures, professional requirements, staffrooms, substance use, and cultural differences did not affect practice.
Conclusions:
- New Zealand pharmacists generally perceive optimal practices are occurring, while acknowledging various influencing factors.
- The S.H.E.L.L. framework effectively analyzed themes related to optimal pharmacy practice.
- The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pharmacists warrants further investigation, with longitudinal data beneficial for understanding well-being.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Stress and Mental Health
186
Chronic stress profoundly affects mental health, significantly influencing mood, behavior, and overall quality of life. Research closely links chronic stress with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Ongoing exposure to stress can lead to physiological and psychological changes, initiating a cycle of emotional distress and maladaptive coping mechanisms.
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
186
01:27Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle
147
Stress is a multifaceted response to events perceived as challenging or threatening, highlighting physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral reactions. Physically, stress can lead to fatigue, sleep disruptions, and various health issues such as frequent colds, chest pains, and nausea. Emotionally, it can manifest as anxiety, depression, irritability, and anger triggered by both minor and major life events. Cognitively, it may result in difficulty in concentration, memory, and...
147
01:20Psychological Responses to Stress
79
Psychological responses to stress encompass the various cognitive and emotional reactions individuals experience when faced with challenging or threatening situations, such as a job loss. Prolonged exposure to stressors can disturb emotional balance, increasing negative emotions (e.g., anxiety and sadness) and diminishing positive emotions (e.g., joy and satisfaction). These persistent emotional shifts are associated with an increased risk of both physical illness and mental health issues, such...
79
01:29Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia
146
Schizophrenia, a complex psychiatric disorder, has been historically misunderstood. Early psychological theories attributed its origins to childhood trauma and unresponsive parenting. However, contemporary research largely rejects these notions, favoring the vulnerability-stress hypothesis. This model proposes that individuals with a genetic predisposition to schizophrenia may develop the disorder following exposure to significant environmental stressors. Notably, studies on high-risk...
146
01:30Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques VI
51
Adopting a healthier lifestyle often requires overcoming significant challenges, but leveraging psychological, social, and cultural resources can facilitate meaningful change. Effective self-change hinges on understanding and applying key tools such as motivation and goal setting, which help sustain efforts toward long-term health benefits.
Motivation and Self-Determination
Motivation, the driving force behind behavior, plays a pivotal role at every stage of the change process. The research...
Motivation and Self-Determination
Motivation, the driving force behind behavior, plays a pivotal role at every stage of the change process. The research...
51
01:26Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques I
72
Stress prevention and management are crucial for maintaining well-being and building resilience. Techniques to manage stress include cultivating qualities like conscientiousness, a sense of personal control, and self-efficacy. Each of these traits significantly reduces stress and promotes healthier lifestyle choices and outcomes.
Conscientiousness
Conscientious individuals tend to be organized, responsible, and disciplined. They prioritize completing tasks and following structured routines,...
Conscientiousness
Conscientious individuals tend to be organized, responsible, and disciplined. They prioritize completing tasks and following structured routines,...
72