| Well-Being Resources for Texas Pharmacy Professionals |
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Take Care of Yourself
In many cases, pharmacy professionals have been stretched and stressed more than ever. After being at the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic for nearly three years, the omicron variant exacerbated pharmacy staffing shortages in a tight labor market, adding even more pressure for many of you in already busy pharmacies. Like most healthcare professions, pharmacy can be incredibly rewarding but also very stressful. Nearly a half-century of research has described the issues and concerns associated with job stress, moral distress, work overload, burnout, and level of control within the pharmacy profession. Pharmacists are at an increased risk for mental health and substance use issues given the stressful nature of being a health care professional. Understanding that every sector of pharmacy is stressed and is doing more with less, pharmacy groups have worked to address burnout among practitioners. When you’re busy taking care of patients, it’s important to remember to take care of yourself! The following resources are designed to help Texas pharmacy professionals handle what can be an incredibly rewarding but also at times a very stressful career.
Pharmacist Well-Being IndexAssess Your Level of Stress
After taking the survey, you'll receive immediate, individualized feedback, allowing you to compare yourself with other pharmacists and healthcare professionals. You may retake the survey as many times as you like and track your distress level over time. Enter Invitation Code: APhA
What Is Distress Percent?Distress Percent is the percentage of individuals with a Pharmacist Well-Being Index score ≥5. It measures the percent of individuals that are at a high level of distress. Why is Distress Percent Important?Researchers at the Mayo Clinic (inventor of the Well-Being Index) found that those who are at risk of high distress are also at risk for a:
Distress Percent in TexasOf all Texas pharmacists who assessed as of August 2024, 32.93% have a high distress score and are at a greater risk for the adverse outcomes listed above. That’s down from 39.65% in January 2020. The national average is 31.03%. How Does Texas Rank?Of the 50 states, DC, and Puerto Rico, Texas has the 24th highest distress percent for all pharmacists as of July 2024. That’s down from 14th in 2020. Puerto Rico has the highest distress percent (52.38%), and South Carolina has the lowest (21.09%).
Pharmacist’s Fundamental Responsibilities and Rights
Portal Collects Workplace Feedback
The Pharmacy Workplace and Well-being Reporting (PWWR) portal was developed in response to the desire by pharmacy personnel across many practice settings for a venue to address workplace concerns and suggest improvements, without fear of retribution. The reports will be collected and analyzed by the Alliance for Patient Medication Safety, a federally recognized Patient Safety Organization, to help tell a collective, powerful story to spark change and improvement in pharmacy personnel well-being, and patient safety. The information collected is protected by the confidentiality and privilege provisions of the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005. Submissions to the PWWR cannot be disclosed or subpoenaed, and are not subject to discovery in a legal proceeding.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help!APhA Online Resources
Professional Recovery Network
If you or a colleague are in need of PRN’s services, you may make a referral by calling its confidential hotline at (800) 727-5152. PRN accepts self-referrals as well as referrals from any concerned third parties.
Wellness Tips for Stressful Times
1. Practice mindfulnessHere are some examples of exercises you can practice to help relieve stress and tension from the body to help you relax and engage in being present:
2. Engage in physical self-careFor example, exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, and get enough sleep. Yoga may be helpful in reducing stress. And, of course, follow standard COVID-19 recommendations. 3. Engage in psychological self-carePractice activities you find fun or restful such as reading, listening to music, or walking. Keeping a journal or pursuing creative and expressive outlets (for example, painting, writing poetry) may also be helpful. 4. Engage with a positive support systemPlan and make time to spend with your family and friends. Reach out to your support system and talk to them about any feelings of distress that you may be having. It is important to also speak with people who are outside of your work circle. 5. Seek out professional helpTalking with someone you trust can help, but also be open to seeking professional assistance. A therapist can help you sort out your emotions and make decisions as to next steps regarding the work environment. Keep in mind that the most important step you can take is to care for yourself. 6. Take breaksIt’s not always easy in a busy pharmacy, but find time to take short breaks throughout your shift. Taking appropriate rest leads to proper care of patients after your break. 7. Perform self-check-insMonitor yourself over time for any symptoms of depression or stress, such as prolonged sadness, difficulty sleeping, intrusive memories, and/or hopelessness. 8. Manage COVID-19 information overloadAs a pharmacist, part of your role is to stay updated on the latest COVID-related news and treatments. This can be very overwhelming! Here are some ways to avoid information overload:
Additional Resources
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We've heard from many of our members about the challenges they face every day in the workplace. The Texas Pharmacy Association recognizes that pharmacists' workload affects their well-being. In recent years, our state's pharmacists and technicians have provided COVID-19 immunizations, managed increased demand for COVID-19 testing, and given flu vaccines on top of their normal workload.
The Texas Pharmacy Association’s Professional Recovery Network (PRN) is a nationally recognized peer assistance
program dedicated to helping health care professionals enter a safe, healthy recovery from substance use or mental illness. 
The following tips are designed to help Texas pharmacy professionals reduce stress and build resiliency during busy
times.
