Pharmacists’ Professional Satisfaction and Challenges: A Netnographic Analysis of Reddit and Facebook Discussions
George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș
How they used Delve
Pharmacy researchers at the George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș used Delve to double-code 23 anonymized Facebook and Reddit threads about pharmacists' working lives, grouping predefined and emergent codes into eight categories in a netnographic study of professional satisfaction.
“The anonymized data were then processed using the Delve Qualitative Analysis Tool, a qualitative analysis software, to facilitate the thematic analysis coding process [34]. We analyzed these 23 conversation threads and meticulously coded the comments using predefined codes and emergent codes identified during the analysis of the transcripts. [...] The coding reliability was ensured through double coding using the Delve Qualitative Analysis Tool.”
- Field
- Pharmacy practice; professional satisfaction, burnout and workforce wellbeing
- Data
- 23 anonymized online conversation threads — 8 from Facebook pharmacy groups (2024) and 15 from Reddit (2019-2024) — primarily involving or concerning Romanian pharmacists
- Approach
- Netnography (online ethnography) with thematic coding combining predefined and emergent codes, double coded for reliability, then categorized and contextualized into a substantive theory
- Data types
- Social media
Abstract
Pharmacists, essential healthcare providers, face significant challenges in professional satisfaction and well-being. This study investigates the factors influencing pharmacists’ professional satisfaction, mainly focusing on workload, organizational support, job autonomy, work-life balance, and resilience against burnout. Data were collected from relevant online forums on Facebook and Reddit using a netnographic methodology. The data were anonymized and thematically coded to identify key themes from 23 conversation threads, primarily involving or concerning Romanian pharmacists. The analysis revealed several critical issues: widespread dissatisfaction with salaries, challenges in professional recognition, and the demanding nature of university education. Additional themes included economic and financial insights, global trends and technological impacts, personal experiences and satisfaction, professional growth and education, regulatory and market environment, and workplace dynamics. Findings indicate these factors significantly impact pharmacists’ job satisfaction and overall well-being. The study concludes that addressing these issues through targeted interventions, such as policy reforms, educational updates, and enhanced organizational support, can improve the professional lives of pharmacists, thereby enhancing their contributions to healthcare outcomes.
Citation
Marius Călin Cherecheș, Hajnal Finta, Răzvan Mihai Prisada, Aura Rusu (2024). Pharmacists’ Professional Satisfaction and Challenges: A Netnographic Analysis of Reddit and Facebook Discussions. Pharmacy. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmacy12050155