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Busy pharmacy staff

Pharmacy Staffing Survey

by Michell Zulu, PharmD, Dr. Phil Baker, PHARMD

Pharmacy Staffing Survey – Good Shepherd Health Institute

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Thank you for participating in our survey.

Recognizing that pharmacy has changed dramatically in recent years, Good Shepherd Health Institute hopes to gather information on staffing levels in pharmacies across the United States. If you work outside the U.S., please do not submit a survey. This survey is completely anonymous. Demographic questions, such as the region where you live or the chain you work for (if applicable) are only for research purposes and will not be reported individually.

What is your role in the pharmacy?*

Pharmacist

Technician

Pharmacy student

Other employee (clerk, cashier, etc.)

What type of pharmacy do you work in?*

If you rotate among multiple locations, please consider where you spend most of your time. The option for "mail-order pharmacy" means central fill for a large chain, fulfillment center for a company like Express Scripts, or any other closed-door pharmacy.

Independently owned pharmacy

Chain pharmacy (more than 10 locations)

Hospital pharmacy

Mail-order pharmacy

Other

If you work for a large chain or pharmacy organization, will you let us know which one? This would include retail pharmacies like Walgreens or large fulfillment companies like ExpressScripts.

Does your pharmacy have a drive-thru?*

Yes

No

How many pharmacists work an average shift at your pharmacy?*

1

2

3

4 or more

Other

How many technicians work an average shift at your pharmacy?*

1

2

3

4 or more

Other

How many prescriptions does your pharmacy receive on an average shift?*

For this question, consider those that are sent to you during the shift. This may include e-prescriptions from physicians' offices, refill requests in any format, or paper prescriptions dropped off by patients.

Less than 50

50-100

100-300

300-500

500 or more

Other

How many prescriptions does your pharmacy fill in an average shift?*

This does not include prescriptions picked up by patients that were filled off-site, if applicable.

Less than 50

50-100

100-300

300-500

500 or more

Other

Does your pharmacy frequently have a backlog (more than 10% of your daily total) of prescriptions unrelated to supply chain issues, weather delays or other factors outside your control?*

Yes

No

Does your pharmacy have "central fill" prescriptions that are delivered daily but filled off-site?*

Yes

No

Do you consider your pharmacy to be understaffed on more than half of its shifts?*

Yes

No

What do you see as the problem in achieving adequate staffing? Select all that apply.*

Company greed/attempts to cut costs

Lack of understanding by decision makers regarding adequate staffing

Inability to attract staff to open positions (not enough certified applicants, etc.)

Poor compensation for pharmacy employees

Inadequate budget due to poor prescription reimbursement and/or the business model

What services does your pharmacy offer? Select all that apply.*

Retail prescriptions (antibiotics, chronic illness treatments, etc.)

Specialty prescriptions (oral chemo, hepatitis treatments, etc.)

Compounded prescriptions

Sterile compounding

Vaccines

Blood pressure tests or other basic screenings

Illness tests (COVID, flu, etc.)

Over-the-counter medications and health products

Gifts, snacks or other products unrelated to health care

Does your pharmacy ever halt services of any kind due to high demand, inadequate staffing or other concerns?*

For example, are phones sometimes sent straight to voicemail during busy hours? Does the pharmacy refuse new prescriptions until existing orders are fulfilled? Are vaccines, blood pressure screenings or illness tests paused or offered only during limited hours?

Yes

No

Please explain how demand or staffing challenges impact your pharmacy's services.*

Have you ever seen unsafe practices in your pharmacy due to inadequate staffing?*

Examples may include uncertified store employees helping fill prescriptions (not just working a register) or pharmacists not being provided meal breaks.

Yes

No

What type of community do you serve?*

Urban

Suburban

Rural

Pharmacy desert (no other pharmacy within 10 miles of yours)

What state do you work in?*

Would you like to share anything else about your pharmacy experience?

Δ

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