ABSTRACT
The present study examined the impact of the first three waves of the Covid-19 pandemic on the mental health of Hungarian pharmacists and the way of communication with each other, patients, and physicians. Our online survey was conducted during the spring of 2021, after the 3rd wave of the epidemic (N = 300). In addition to pharmacist communication, our research also measured perceived stress and burnout. The vast majority of respondents reported their workload to be increased compared to the pre-epidemic period. Patients became more open to counseling, their need for conversation increased, and their problems often exceeded their pharmacist competence. The number of aggressive patients increased in the pharmacies. The level of perceived stress was high in the sample, and an increased risk of burnout has been identified. Pharmacists working for a longer time in this profession tended to be less stressed by the challenges during the epidemic. The more common aggressive behavior among patients, and the higher level of perceived stress were strongly correlated. The COVID 19 epidemic has placed a significant mental burden and communication challenge on pharmacists. In addition to professional support, it would be especially necessary to provide psychological counseling for free. © 2022 Literatura Medica Publishing House. All rights reserved.