Pharmacists’ burnout and motivation for pharmaceutical care in chronically ill patients – a pilot study for the north-eastern region of Bulgaria

Medical professionals are the most susceptible to professional burnout. An anonymous survey of master pharmacists was conducted to assess burnout with the MBI-HSS-MP tool and analyse the challenges of working in community pharmacies. Burnout affected 53% of the 127 pharmacists surveyed. Factors influencing the scales forming burnout emotional exhaustion (EE) depersonalisation (DP), and personal accomplishment (PA) were: administrative difficulties in servicing the prescriptions of chronically ill patients: affected 57% of respondents and influenced EE (p = 0.036); lack of precise instructions at work (38% of respondents, influenced DP, p = 0.007) and (EE, p = 0.000); lack of prior information about innovations 38% (EE p = 0.002). Lack of time to carry out pharmaceutical care (PhC) influenced EE (p = 0.019) and DP (p = 0.006) and DP was associated with lower empathy for patients, Lack of perceived professional satisfaction (PA; p = 0.042) was increased. The increased administrative duties shifted the focus away from PhC and decreased pharmacists’ motivation.