Analyzing the Impact of COVID-19 on the Well-Being of Pharmacists: A Narrative Review

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the mental, emotional, and physical health of healthcare professionals around the world. Despite research efforts to examine the experiences of physicians, nurses, and other professionals in healthcare, little has been shared about the experiences of pharmacists during the pandemic. A review of current evidence is needed to better understand the mental health experiences of pharmacists during the pandemic. This review aimed to understand the perceptions, experiences, and impacts on the mental, emotional, and psychological well-being of practicing pharmacists during the COVID-19 pandemic. A review of the literature was carried out by searching several electronic databases, which included Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, PubMed, DOAJ, JSTOR, PsycINFO, the ERIC Database (via EBSCOhost), and Academic Search Complete for studies published between 2020 and 2022. The search was conducted from September 10, 2022, to November 18, 2022, using Boolean operations and the following terms: Kansas, pharmacist, pharmacy, mental health, psychology, burnout, and well-being. Nine studies exploring the lived experiences of practicing pharmacists worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic were included in this review. The literature surveyed includes three international studies, five national (USA) studies, one study from the Midwestern region of the USA, and one study from Kansas specifically. These studies revealed increased burnout prevalence, mental health distress, feelings of negativity related to the job, and an overall lack of wellness among pharmacists across the world during the pandemic. There is limited research on the perspectives and experiences of practicing pharmacists during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional research is necessary to thoroughly understand pharmacists' experiences and how to further support their well-being.