Factors associated with burnout and coping strategies among community pharmacists in Thailand: A Cross-sectional study
Saksakon Paratsaphan, Somharutai Wattanakittisak, Anannit Weerapan, Tuanthon Boonlue
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with burnout among community pharmacists in Thailand and explore their coping strategies. Methods: This cross-sectional study investigated burnout among community pharmacists in Thailand. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires on demographics, burnout levels and coping strategies. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression to examine associations and predictors. Results: Of the 123 respondents, 29.3% reported high emotional exhaustion, while 9.8% reported high depersonalization. Burnout prevalence was 32.5%, with emotional exhaustion being the most common dimension. Significant predictors of burnout included marital status, with married individuals or those cohabiting without registration having lower odds (adjusted OR 0.26; 95% CI: 0.09–0.74; p = 0.011), and a history of suicidal thoughts or self-harm, which substantially increased odds (adjusted OR 6.91; 95% CI: 1.13–42.26; p = 0.037). Proactive coping strategies, such as identifying root causes of distress (86.2%) and maintaining a positive attitude (80.5%), were highly effective, whereas avoidant behaviors, such as reliance on substances, were overwhelmingly unhelpful. Conclusion: These findings underscore the need for interventions targeting both individual resilience and organizational support, including optimizing staffing levels and fostering a culture of well-being. Policymakers should prioritize these measures to enhance pharmacists’ well-being and maintain patient safety. Future research should evaluate the long-term effectiveness of these interventions and explore additional strategies to sustain resilience among community pharmacists.