A multisite, longitudinal study assessing prevalence of burnout in student pharmacists

This study aimed to evaluate burnout levels among student pharmacists enrolled in two Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) programs in the northwest (college 1) and south (college 2) over a five-year period.

A cross-sectional, observational design was used to assess burnout using the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI), which measures two dimensions: exhaustion and disengagement. Surveys were administered annually from 2019 to 2023 to first-, second-, and third-year pharmacy students (PY1-PY3). Responses were anonymous. Data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests due to non-normal distribution.

A total of 2044 complete OLBI responses were collected. The average OLBI score for all students increased from 43.0 in 2019 to 43.6 in 2023, peaking at 44.1 in 2020. Scores ≥44 indicate burnout. Only PY2 students in 2022 exceeded both exhaustion (≥23) and disengagement (≥22) thresholds. The most highly scored survey item was feeling tired before arriving at school.

Burnout among pharmacy students was present and fluctuated over time, with notable peaks during the early COVID-19 pandemic. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to address student well-being, particularly during periods of heightened academic and external stress.