Pharmacists’ perception of their role during COVID-19: a qualitative content analysis of posts on Facebook pharmacy groups in Jordan
Main Article Content
Keywords
Pharmacists, Pharmaceutical Services, Pharmacies, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, Coronavirus, Pandemics, Professional Role, Self Concept, Personal Satisfaction, Social Media, Qualitative Research, Jordan
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the content available on Facebook pharmacy groups in Jordan regarding the perception of the pharmacists’ role during the coronavirus pandemic in Jordan.
Methods: Researchers identified Facebook pharmacy groups through the search engine on the Facebook website. The main search keywords were pharmacy, pharmacist, pharmacists, and Jordan using both Arabic and English. Two researchers analyzed the posts and discussion threads on local pharmacy Facebook groups in a period between March 20th and April 3rd. A total of 184 posts and threads were identified for the purpose of the study.
Results: Identified threads and responses resulted in three overarching themes: pharmacists having a positive role during the pandemic, taking additional responsibilities and services, and having passive or negative roles. A positive role was seen in pharmacists acting as first-line healthcare providers, creating public’s awareness regarding COVID-19, and being responsible for chronic medication refill during the pandemic. Taking additional responsibilities was summarized in home deliveries and involvement in industrial and corporate efforts to deal with the pandemic. A passive/negative role was seen mostly among hospital pharmacists not being proactive during the pandemic and by pharmacists trying to maximize profits during pandemic time.
Conclusions: Pharmacists perceived their role as a positive role during the coronavirus pandemic. Not only they took responsibilities for their daily services during the crises, but they took additional responsibilities to assure patient safety and satisfaction.
References
2. Kandel N, Chungong S, Omaar A, Xing J. Health security capacities in the context of COVID-19 outbreak: an analysis of International Health Regulations annual report data from 182 countries. Lancet. 2020;395(10229):1047-1053. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(20)30553-5
3. Chen J, Qi T, Liu L, et al. Clinical progression of patients with COVID-19 in Shanghai, China. J Infect. 2020;80(5):e1-e6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jinf.2020.03.004
4. Eurosurveillance Editorial Team. Note from the editors: World Health Organization declares novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) sixth public health emergency of international concern. Eurosurveillance. 2020;25(5):200131e.
5. World Health Organization. Coronavirus 2020. Available at: https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus#tab=tab_1 (accessed Mar 22, 2020).
6. Centers for Disease Control and P^revention. Coronavirus(COVID-19)-Situation summary. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/summary.html (accessed Mar 22, 2020).
7. Johns Hopkins University. Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University. Available at: https://systems.jhu.edu/ (accessed Mar 22, 2020).
8. Hoehl S, et al. Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Returning Travelers from Wuhan, China. N Engl J Med. 2020;382(13):1278-1280. https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmc2001899
9. Chen N, Zhou M, Dong X, Qu J, Gong F, Han Y, Qiu Y, Wang J, Liu Y, Wei Y, Xia J, Yu T, Zhang X, Zhang L. Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of 99 cases of 2019 novel coronavirus pneumonia in Wuhan, China: a descriptive study. Lancet. 2020;395(10223):507-513. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(20)30211-7
10. Chen T, Wu D, Chen H, Yan W, Yang D, Chen G, Ma K, Xu D, Yu H, Wang H, Wang T, Guo W, Chen J, Ding C, Zhang X, Huang J, Han M, Li S, Luo X, Zhao J, Ning Q. Clinical characteristics of 113 deceased patients with coronavirus disease 2019: retrospective study [published correction appears in BMJ. 2020 Mar 31;368:m1295]. BMJ. 2020;368:m1091.. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m1091
11. Xie Y, Wang X, Yang P, Zhang S. COVID-19 complicated by acute pulmonary embolism. Radiol Cardiothorac Imaging. 2020;2(2):e200067. https://doi.org/10.1148/ryct.2020200067
12. Danzi GB, Loffi M, Galeazzi G, Gherbesi E. Acute pulmonary embolism and COVID-19 pneumonia: a random association?. Eur Heart J. 2020;41(19):1858. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehaa254
13. Driggin E, Madhavan MV, Bikdeli B, Chuich T, Laracy J, Biondi-Zoccai G, Brown TS, Der Nigoghossian C, Zidar DA, Haythe J, Brodie D, Beckman JA, Kirtane AJ, Stone GW, Krumholz HM, Parikh SA. Cardiovascular Considerations for Patients, Health Care Workers, and Health Systems During the COVID-19 Pandemic. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2020;75(18):2352-2371. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2020.03.031
14. Zhou P, et al. A pneumonia outbreak associated with a new coronavirus of probable bat origin. Nature. 2020;579(7798):270-273. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-2012-7
15. Welt FGP, Shah PB, Aronow HD, Bortnick AE, Henry TD, Sherwood MW, Young MN, Davidson LJ, Kadavath S, Mahmud E, Kirtane AJ; American College of Cardiology’s Interventional Council and the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions. Catheterization Laboratory Considerations During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic: From the ACC's Interventional Council and SCAI. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2020;75(18):2372-2375. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2020.03.021
16. FIP. FIP releases substantial update to COVID-19 guidelines for pharmacists around the world. Available at: https://www.fip.org/press-releases?press=item&press-item=70 (accessed Mar 22, 2020).
17. Cole-Lewis H, Perotte A, Galica K, Dreyer L, Griffith C, Schwarz M, Yun C, Patrick H, Coa K, Augustson E. Social Network Behavior and Engagement Within a Smoking Cessation Facebook Page. J Med Internet Res. 2016;18(8):e205. Published 2016 Aug 2. https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.5574
18. Snelson CL. Qualitative and mixed methods social media research: A review of the literature. Int J Qual Methods. 2016;15(1):1609406915624574. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F1609406915624574
19. Caelli K, Ray L, Mill J. ‘Clear as mud’: toward greater clarity in generic qualitative research. Int J Qual Methods. 2003;2(2):1-13. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F160940690300200201
20. Braun V, Clarke V. Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qual Res Psychol. 2006;3(2):77-101.
21. PGPUE. Community pharmacists in the frontline in the fight against the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Available at: https://www.pgeu.eu/publications/press-release-community-pharmacists-in-the-frontline-in-the-fight-against-the-novel-corona-virus-disease-covid-19/ (accessed Mar 22, 2020).
22. CDC. Considerations for Pharmacies during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Available at: https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/86949/cdc_86949_DS1.pdf? (accessed Mar 22, 2020).
23. Mukattash TL, Bazzi NH, Nuseir KQ, Jarab AS, Abu-Farha RK, Khdour MR. Pharmaceutical care in community pharmacies in Jordan: a public survey. Pharm Pract (Granada). 2018;16(2):1126. https://doi.org/10.18549/pharmpract.2018.02.1126
24. Nazer LH, Tuffaha H. Health Care and Pharmacy Practice in Jordan. Can J Hosp Pharm. 2017;70(2):150-155. https://doi.org/10.4212/cjhp.v70i2.1649
25. Doroudgar S, Hernandez FE, Kali-Rai R, Yoshizuka K. Multi-Cultural Project Initiative: An inclusive representation of "Coronavirus Guidelines for America". Res Social Adm Pharm. 2020. [Ahead of Print]. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sapharm.2020.04.006
26. Mukattash TL, Jarab AS, Abu-Farha RK, Nusair M, Basheti I, Mukattash IL, Obeidat RM, Khdour M. Willingness and Readiness to test for COVID-19; A qualitative exploration of community pharmacists. Int J Clin Pract. 2020. [Ahead of Print]. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijcp.13620
27. Basheti IA, Al-Qudah RA, Obeidat NM, Bulatova NR. Home medication management review in outpatients with chronic diseases in Jordan: a randomized control trial. Int J Clin Pharm. 2016;38(2):404-413. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11096-016-0266-9
28. Basheti IA, Nassar R, Barakat M, Alqudah R, Abufarha R, Mukattash TL, Saini B. Pharmacists' readiness to deal with the coronavirus pandemic: Assessing awareness and perception of roles. Res Social Adm Pharm. 2020. [Ahead of Print]. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sapharm.2020.04.020
29. International Pharmaceutical Federation. Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 Pandemic: information and interim guidelines for pharmacists and the pharmacy workforce. The Hague: FIP; 2020.
30. Song Z, Hu Y, Zheng S, Yang L, Zhao R. Hospital pharmacists' pharmaceutical care for hospitalized patients with COVID-19: Recommendations and guidance from clinical experience. Res Social Adm Pharm. 2020. [Ahead of Print]. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sapharm.2020.03.027
31. Hammad EA, Qudah RA, Akour AA. The impact of clinical pharmacists in improving Jordanian patients' health outcomes. Saudi Med J. 2017;38(11):1077-1089. https://doi.org/10.15537/smj.2017.11.21453
32. Abbott RB, Bader R, Bajjali L, Abu ElSamen T, Obeidat T, Sboul H, Shwayat M, Alabbadi I. The price of medicines in Jordan: the cost of trade-based intellectual property. J Generic Med. 2012;9(2):75-85. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F1741134312447499
33. Hammad E, Obeidat H, Hadidi I, Batarseh S, Al-Efan Q. The role of cost-effectiveness studies in Drug pricing decisions: a case review from Jordan. Value Health. 2015;18(3):A73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jval.2015.03.428
34. Houle SK, Grindrod KA, Chatterley T, Tsuyuki RT. Paying pharmacists for patient care: A systematic review of remunerated pharmacy clinical care services. Can Pharm J (Ott). 2014;147(4):209-232. https://doi.org/10.1177/1715163514536678