The study of motivational factors in the professional activities of pharmaceutical workers in conditions of staff shortage

Abstract


In recent years, the pharmaceutical industry has been facing a shortage of qualified staff in a pharmacy organization. Staff shortage can limit the population's access to preventive medical services, which can lead to improper treatment, deterioration of health, increased risk of side effects and decreased level of healthcare in society as a whole, exacerbating existing social and economic problems. In July — September 2024, a remote survey of pharmacy employees was conducted. A total of 385 respondents, employees of pharmacy institutions from 31 regions of the Russian Federation engaged in the commercial distribution of medicines, took part in the survey. 63.6% of them have higher pharmaceutical education, 34.6% have secondary pharmaceutical education. The average work experience of the study participants is 23 years, while 32% have more than 30 years of professional experience. The purpose of the study is to find out which aspects of the activity are attractive to pharmacists, what motivates the specialists to stay in the profession, and also to identify the factors that cause the greatest dissatisfaction. The main values of a first—year student's professional activity is of a humanistic nature — they are «the opportunity to help people» (80%) and «the opportunity to constantly learn new things and expand their knowledge» (72%). Among the key factors that can increase job satisfaction with significant excellence, «Recognition/respect for the profession at the state level» leads, 75% of respondents noted its need. «Salary independent of sales volume» was named by 50% of the study participants as a measure that they would like to bring into the profession. 36% of respondents believe that reducing commercial tasks can be an effective way to increase satisfaction. An important motivational component in the activity of a pharmaceutical worker, confirmed by the results of the study, is the constant development and improvement of knowledge and skills, 72% of respondents indicated it as attractive in the profession. The conducted research has confirmed that the solution in the current situation is not only to increase wages and create favorable working conditions.

About the authors

Maria Nikolaevna Denisova

N. A. Semashko National Research Institute of Public Health, Moscow, Russia

Email: denisovamn@gmail.com

Svetlana Nikolaevna Gogoleva

Email: Svgogoleva@mail.ru

Anastasia Andreevna Sinitsyna

N. A. Semashko National Research Institute of Public Health, Moscow, Russia; I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia

Email: sinitsyna_a_a@staff.sechenov.ru

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