Perceived Role, Identity and Experiences of Pharmacists and the Potential Impact on COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake per Louisiana Region: A Prospective Cohort Study

Brittany A. Singleton (), Sara Al-Dahir (), Christopher Gillard, Martha Earls, Julia Bommarito, Malcolm Duhe and Kevin Phi
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Brittany A. Singleton: Division of Clinical and Administrative Sciences, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA 70125, USA
Sara Al-Dahir: Division of Clinical and Administrative Sciences, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA 70125, USA
Christopher Gillard: Division of Clinical and Administrative Sciences, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA 70125, USA
Martha Earls: Division of Clinical and Administrative Sciences, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA 70125, USA
Julia Bommarito: Division of Clinical and Administrative Sciences, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA 70125, USA
Malcolm Duhe: Division of Clinical and Administrative Sciences, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA 70125, USA
Kevin Phi: Division of Clinical and Administrative Sciences, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA 70125, USA

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 15, 1-13

Abstract: Some of the lowest COVID-19 community vaccination rates in America are found in Louisiana. This study investigated: (1) barriers that Louisiana pharmacists encountered during the pandemic; and (2) the effect of pharmacists’ role and identity confidence on willingness to enforce vaccine mandates, and COVID-19 vaccine uptake. Fifty-four community pharmacists from nine regions of Louisiana participated in the study. Pharmacists completed questionnaires about: personal demographics, patient population, vaccination encouragement, COVID-19 concerns, and vaccination administration rates. The importance of feeling like a trusted voice in the community, as well as professional perception and self-assurance, were measured using Likert scale questions. During focus groups, participants discussed experiences with the COVID-19 vaccination rollout and vaccination-related obstacles. As the pandemic progressed, pharmacists reported being overworked, understaffed, and overburdened with new responsibilities. In regions with lower vaccination rates, pharmacists were less likely to feel at ease enforcing vaccine mandates. Independent pharmacists were less comfortable enforcing vaccine mandates than chain pharmacists but had more positive perceptions of their role and identity. This study contributes to further understanding of pharmacy workflow obstacles and pharmacists’ perceptions of their professional roles and identities in the community.

Keywords: COVID-19; pharmacy-based vaccination services; pharmacist perspectives; frontline healthcare workers (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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