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Exploring occupational fatigue in Illinois pharmacy technicians: Thematic analysis
Sodam Kim1, Johnson Osei1, Grace Fick1
1Department of Pharmacy Systems and Outcomes and Policy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.
Research in Social & Administrative Pharmacy : RSAP
|February 21, 2026
Summary
Pharmacy technicians experience occupational fatigue due to work system factors. Interventions addressing human factors, workload, and organizational support are needed to improve technician well-being and patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacy Practice
- Occupational Health
- Human Factors Engineering
Background:
- Patient safety is a national priority, yet healthcare workforce well-being, particularly for pharmacy technicians, is often overlooked.
- Occupational fatigue in pharmacy technicians is underrecognized despite their critical role in medication safety and patient care.
- Existing research on occupational fatigue has not sufficiently addressed the unique challenges faced by pharmacy technicians.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate pharmacy technicians' subjective experiences of occupational fatigue.
- To identify specific work system components that contribute to or alleviate fatigue among Illinois community pharmacy technicians.
- To bridge the gap in understanding occupational fatigue within the pharmacy technician workforce.
Main Methods:
- A mixed-methods approach combining quantitative surveys and qualitative semi-structured interviews.
- Utilized the Conceptual Framework of Occupational Fatigue and the Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety.
- Employed a cross-sectional observational design with deductive thematic analysis for qualitative data.
Main Results:
- Five key themes emerged: human factors, impact of breaks and workload, organizational vs. technician values, supportive infrastructure, and the link between quality of work life and patient outcomes.
- Human factors were identified as significant contributors to both the exacerbation and mitigation of fatigue.
- High workloads frequently prevented technicians from taking necessary breaks, despite breaks being recognized as fatigue reducers.
Conclusions:
- Occupational fatigue is a significant issue for community pharmacy technicians, influenced by multiple work system elements.
- The identified themes provide a foundation for developing targeted interventions to reduce fatigue.
- Addressing occupational fatigue in pharmacy technicians is crucial for enhancing both workforce well-being and patient safety.
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