The Impact of the COVID-19 Health Crisis in Pharmacies and Pharmacists. A Quantitative Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.60988/p.v37i2.84Keywords:
Pharmacies, Pharmacists, COVID-19 pandemic, impact, professional and social interactions, GreeceAbstract
This study examines the professional and social interactions within pharmacies in the context of COVID-19 pandemic, a global health crisis with lasting impacts. COVID-19 has generated a unique body of data, altered patient behaviours, and introduced new healthcare references. The aim of this paper is to highlight the critical role of pharmacists and pharmacy staff during that period. It explores the skillsets and resources these professionals possess, the support systems available to them, and the challenges encountered in their daily operations. Additionally, the research examines established practices and the effects of pandemic management strategies on pharmacies. The work is structured into two main sections. The first section conducts a comprehensive literature review to establish a theoretical foundation of pharmacies and the pharmacist profession. Subsequently, the second section shifts focus to the COVID-19 pandemic impact, specifically analysing the role of pharmacists within this context. This section incorporates a case study conducted through primary research in the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Greece. The objective of the case study is to elucidate the contributions and pivotal role of pharmacies during the COVID-19 pandemic, alongside the resulting impact. This research strives for both theoretical and practical significance, by presenting current knowledge, original findings, and valuable contributions to the scientific literature.
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