ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Literature indicates concerning rates of burnout and declining well-being among students. Although well-being initiatives have increased, a gap exists in identifying factors that impact pharmacy student well-being. The purpose of this study was to explore the factors students perceive that influence their burnout and identify recommendations to improve student well-being. METHODS: First- (PY1), second- (PY2), and third-year (PY3) pharmacy students enrolled in the didactic curriculum were invited to participate in this exploratory study. Focus groups were organized by program year to explore the experiences that may be unique to each group. A semistructured interview format was used to discuss factors contributing to student burnout and fulfillment, as well as solicit recommendations for strategies to improve student well-being. Inductive coding was used to identify themes. RESULTS: Twelve students participated in 6 sessions: 1 PY1 interview (n = 1 student), 1 PY2 focus group (n = 2 students) and 1 PY2 interview (n = 1 student), and 3 PY3 focus groups (n = 2-3 students/focus group). Common factors identified as contributing toward burnout included having too little time, overwhelming academic workload, competitive culture, and noncoursework commitments. Factors contributing to student fulfillment included life outside of pharmacy school, well-being resources, and activities aligned with future goals. Participants recommended several strategies to improve student well-being, including curricular changes (eg, course schedule layout, pass/fail grading), culture strategies, and well-being resources. CONCLUSION: The findings underscore the impact of workload and competitive culture on student burnout. This study fills a literature gap regarding the factors influencing student burnout and informs strategies for fostering student well-being in pharmacy education.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Creating environments that promote well-being is critical as studies have shown that burnout, and thus poor well-being, results in poor health outcomes and declining workplace retention. While studies have measured the prevalence of burnout in pharmacy faculty, a gap exists regarding workplace factors that impact faculty well-being. The purpose of this study was to assess factors influencing pharmacy faculty burnout and identify recommendations to improve faculty well-being. METHODS: Full-time pharmacy faculty were invited to participate in this exploratory study. Focus groups were divided by faculty rank (ie, assistant, associate, full professor). A semistructured interview format was used to identify factors contributing to faculty burnout and fulfillment as well as solicit suggestions for strategies to improve well-being. Inductive coding was used to identify themes. RESULTS: Eleven faculty participated in 4 focus groups: 6 assistant professors in 2 focus groups (n = 3 faculty/focus group), 3 associate professors in 1 focus group, and 2 full professors in 1 focus group. Common factors influencing faculty burnout included overwhelming workload, workplace inefficiencies, and unexpected factors. Factors contributing to faculty fulfillment included impact, having a passion for work, and connecting with others. Recommendations for improving well-being included school-level well-being initiatives from leadership, encouraging work-life balance, and implementing intentional well-being initiatives and resources. CONCLUSION: Participants identified several workplace factors that contribute to burnout and faculty fulfillment. This study fills a critical gap in the literature regarding factors that influence pharmacy faculty well-being and burnout and can inform strategies for fostering faculty well-being in pharmacy education.
