GOVERNING bodies and professional agencies should come together to provide a forum for community pharmacists to safely discuss the emotional and social challenges they faced during 2020's bushfire and COVID-19 crises, researchers believe.
The authors of a paper published in the International Journal of Pharmacy Practice reported that "despite a global pandemic following a season of extraordinary bushfires, it has barely been acknowledged that community pharmacy staff are one of the highest risk groups for long-term psychological impacts".
They noted that Australian pharmacists had to adjust to rapid changes in their workload and workflow throughout the crises, which they reported "can result in increased anxiety and stress".
The authors said there was a need to implement change and train primary care staff to ensure that "regardless of their setting all frontline health workers will not be caught out again".
"Pharmacy staff are essential workers and it is important to ensure that they maintain their mental health and wellbeing so that they can continue their vital role as the medication experts and provide essential professional services to their communities," they said.
CLICK HERE to read the paper.
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