Publication: HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG COMMUNITY PHARMACIST IN MALAYSIA A POST-PANDEMIC NATIONWIDE SURVEY
Date
2025
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Publisher
IMU University
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected healthcare professionals, including community pharmacists in Malaysia, who faced increased workloads and emotional strain while continuing to provide essential services. However, limited research has been conducted on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of community pharmacists, particularly in the post-pandemic period. This study aims to assess the HRQoL of Malaysian community pharmacists to better understand the effects of the pandemic on their physical, mental, and social well-being.
METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 394 eligible community pharmacists in Malaysia, with 209 respondents completing the online questionnaire. The study utilized the RAND SF-36 for HRQoL assessment, the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) to evaluate fatigue, and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) to assess daytime sleepiness. Data analysis was performed using SPSS, with t-tests, ANOVA, and multivariate regression applied to identify factors influencing HRQoL. Ethical approval was obtained, and informed consent was collected from all participants.
RESULTS: Of the 209 pharmacists who participated, 46% were aged between 31-40 years, and 88% were female. Regarding HRQoL, 33.4% rated their health as "excellent" and 37.8% as "very good," while 20.1% reported their health had worsened compared to the previous year. A significant portion of participants (36.8%) reported limitations in physical activity, and half of them cut down on work hours. Emotional health issues impacted 52.6% of participants' performance, and 35.9% experienced health-related interference with social activities. Additionally, 67.5% reported severe fatigue, and 32.1% showed excessive daytime sleepiness.
CONCLUSION: The findings reveal that HRQoL among Malaysian community pharmacists is significantly impacted by fatigue, emotional exhaustion, and physical strain. These challenges affect their overall well-being and productivity. The results highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions to improve the working conditions and support systems for pharmacists, aiming to enhance both their personal health and the quality of healthcare services they provide.
KEYWORDS: Health-related quality of life, community pharmacists, COVID-19 pandemic, fatigue, daytime sleepiness, emotional exhaustion, Malaysia, post-pandemic well-being.
Description
Keywords
Quality of Life, Pharmacists, Malaysia, Pandemics, Surveys and Questionnaires, COVID-19, Cross-Sectional Studies, Fatigue, Disorders of Excessive Somnolence, Emotional Exhaustion