Psychological Safety and Burnout among Community Pharmacy Employees: A Longitudinal Study

Abstract Burnout is a significant issue among healthcare professionals, including pharmacists and pharmacy technicians working in community pharmacies. This study aimed to examine changes in burnout levels over six months and explore the role of psychological safety and stress management programs. The study included 651 licensed pharmacists and pharmacy technicians employed in community pharmacies. Burnout was assessed using the Shirom-Melamed Burnout Questionnaire (SMBQ), while psychological safety was measured with a validated 15-item scale. All participants completed stress management training. Data were collected at three time points and analyzed using descriptive statistics, repeated measures ANOVA, correlations, and multiple regression. Group differences between pharmacists and technicians were examined through separate analyses and Fisher's r-to-z transformation. The results indicate that burnout levels remained stable across the measurement points, with no significant differences observed. A slight increase in psychological safety was detected over time, suggesting a trend toward improved perceptions of workplace support. No significant overall differences in burnout levels were found between pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. The findings suggest a potential protective effect of stress management training and psychological safety in mitigating burnout. Future research should explore individual and organizational factors influencing these interventions and assess long-term burnout trends. Implementing systematic stress prevention programs may be essential for safeguarding the mental health of pharmacy professionals.