Assessment of pharmacists’ job satisfaction and job related stress in Amman

Background The myriad changes in pharmacy practice in Jordan have transformed the pharmacist’s role to be more focused on the patient and his/her therapeutic needs than on just the traditional dispensing. This, in addition to other possible factors, is believed to have influenced pharmacists’ job satisfaction and stress level in different practice settings in Jordan. Objective This study aimed to determine the level of job satisfaction and job related stress among pharmacists in Amman. Moreover, the main causes of dissatisfaction and stress-related factors affecting pharmacists at their working positions were also explored. Setting The study was conducted in four pharmacy practice settings: independent and chain community pharmacies as well as private and public hospital pharmacies. Methods The study adopted the self-administered survey methodology technique using a pre-validated pre-piloted questionnaire. The questionnaire was adapted from one previously used in Northern Ireland. Data were entered into SAS database and analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi square and regression analysis. The significance level was set at P < 0.05. Main outcome measure The level and factors affecting job satisfaction and job related stress as reported by participating pharmacists. Results A total of 235 registered pharmacists in Amman were involved. The pharmacists’ job satisfaction was significantly affected by the type of pharmacy practice settings (P = 0.038), pharmacists’ registration year (P = 0.048) and marital status (P = 0.023). Moreover, job related stress situations like patient care responsibility have been associated significantly with the type of pharmacy practice settings (P = 0.043) and pharmacists’ registration year (P = 0.013). Other job stressors like long working hours, lack of advancement, promotion opportunities and poor physician pharmacists’ relationship have also been reported by participants. Conclusion The study concluded that community pharmacists in Amman are found to be less satisfied with their jobs than their hospital counterparts. Pharmacists’ job satisfaction should be enhanced to improve pharmacists’ motivation and competence. Consequently, this will improve their productivity and provision of pharmaceutical care.