Assessing Job Satisfaction and Perceived Improvement Measures among Early Career Hospital Pharmacists in Karachi: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Hospital pharmacists play a critical role in patient care, medication management, and efficiency of the healthcare system. Inadequate workload management, recognition and monetary remuneration may lead to higher turnover, lower job satisfaction which affects patient care

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the job satisfaction among early career pharmacist of Karachi Pakistan. Together with the perceived measures needed to be taken in order to improve the job satisfaction.

Materials & Methods: From August 2023 to October 2023, a descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out by distributing a self-administered questionnaire through electronic media channels to pharmacist of different hospital sectors in Karachi. The study was approved from Institutional Bioethics Committee of University of Karachi and assigned the reference number of IBC KU-354/2023. The questionnaire was divided into Professional interaction with healthcare professionals, salary/incentive benefits and professional work environment. A five-point Likert scale, value ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree), was used to rate the questions. Since all of the questions were positively worded therefore, smaller mean values were considered as lower satisfaction.

Result: A total of 107 pharmacists responded to the questionnaire of which majority were females (82.2%). Overall, two-third of the pharmacist (63%) in Pakistan are dissatisfied. Major area of dissatisfaction was observed due to salary and incentive benefits (79%) received by the pharmacist. An otherwise positive response was observed with pharmacist professional interaction (56%). Pakistani pharmacists were inclined with receiving more trainings for their professional development preceded by more salary benefits.

Conclusion: Statutory bodies should devise a strategy to cope with the dissatisfaction of hospital pharmacists in Pakistan especially related to pharmacist salary and trainings.