key: cord-0947627-onv5fl7m
authors: Goodhart, Angela L.; Johnson, Heather A.
title: The pharmacists behind the front lines
date: 2020-08-06
journal: J Am Pharm Assoc (2003)
DOI: 10.1016/j.japh.2020.07.007
sha: eedbd0976f32d9b51a732cc7c59f05ef31092f36
doc_id: 947627
cord_uid: onv5fl7m

nan

The pharmacists behind the front lines Angela L. Goodhart, Heather A. Johnson Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, health professionals have unquestionably stood out as "essential workers" carrying out their daily responsibilities (and then some) as millions of Americans have been asked to stay home. 1 Countless expressions of appreciation have been shared for all essential workers, including pharmacists. But where does that leave us "essential" workers who have the capability to perform our jobs, at least to some degree, from home? As the number of Americans working from home has doubled during the months of March and April, more and more roles considered essential are being conducted remotely through creative telework and videoconferencing technology. 1 While community and hospital pharmacists have rightfully been recognized for their frontline roles, those of us working in ambulatory care, population health, specialty pharmacy, and consultant and faculty roles may have found that at least a portion of our responsibilities can be accomplished via telecommuting. 2 This leads to an internal conflict: are our pharmacist roles carried out remotely contributing enough?

It has been encouraging to see people and organizations recognize and reward our profession. However, hearing these praises from the spare-bedroom-turnedoffice can be uncomfortable. During a video call at the end of March, a few coworkers and I admitted that we were feeling guilty about our professional comfort in the pandemic, and I have heard this echoed among other colleagues. These feelings have been described in Psychology Today as a type of Survivor Guilt. 3 Survivor Guilt can be defined as the interpersonal process of avoiding harm while others do not. 4 The pandemic has caused this syndrome to occur in people who are not struggling financially and are able to significantly lower their risk of harm by staying home for work.

There are also experiences unique to us as health care workers, such as how to respond to praise for our profession. Wondering if it is appropriate to use the Health Care Heroes discount for food that you are not picking up to eat on your way to the front lines? Or to buy new work shoes when your current dress code does not require them? The ambiguity of our experience with the pandemic is not limited to these situations. A sudden change in routine, along with isolation from coworkers, is known to result in anxiety and stress. 5 And in an unfortunate feedback loop, this stress and anxiety can exacerbate the feeling of guilt associated with not feeling lucky or happy enough to be in our financially and physically safe situation. 3 What is the prescription for those of us in this position? Recognize that this is a normal reaction. We can support those around us in many essential ways: checking in on colleagues on the front lines, helping out those who are struggling financially, taking on tasks that would not normally be part of our role to ease the burden for our colleagues. We can also connect with others who may be feeling the same way and maintain a work-from-home schedule that includes time for self-care. 3 Soon, if not already, we will find ourselves back in the office. What do we want to look back on and remember about this experience? I will remember having the flexibility in my schedule to call a patient at 6 PM and have an extensive discussion about his diet and then watching his blood sugar improve over the next few months. I will remember precepting student pharmacists from a distance and teaching them to adapt their role during a pandemic. I will remember the creative ways we provided outreach to hundreds of patients. Most importantly, I will remember the gratitude and appreciation we showed for one another. Even behind the front lines, we are making life-saving interventions every day.

We have all come together to combat the COVID-19 pandemic; let us recognize that our roles are not insignificant. While many health care resources are redirected to the front lines, let us not forget the numerous lives those of us working remotely have touched during the past several months. As we did before the pandemic, we have helped facilitate continued access to medications, managed chronic diseases, performed medication therapy management, adapted to changing payor requirements, educated the future of our profession, and carried out countless other tasks that have become more important than ever during this time of uncertainty. As we return to our workplaces, whenever that day may be, let us remember the ways we grew and adapted during our remote work period and bring our newfound adaptability with us into whatever the future brings.

Could Covid-19 usher in a new era of working from home? Knowable Magazine

Survivor's guilt and COVID-19

Survivor guilt of a pregnant obstetrician

American Psychiatric Association: Center for Workplace Mental Health