Introduction
Understanding job and career satisfaction in current NHS pharmacy workforce will help to develop a better strategy for recruitment and retention in hospital settings. In 1998, Rajah et al¹ conducted a hospital pharmacist job and career satisfaction survey in London region and South East. It showed junior pharmacists were less satisfied with their jobs and careers. Since then, several changes at different levels, such as governmental changes, Continuing Professional Development, improvement in workforce numbers and change of pharmacy degree from bachelor to master could have affected pharmacy workforce satisfaction.

Objective
Assess satisfaction levels of pharmacists and qualified technicians working in hospital pharmacy services in London, Eastern, Thames Valley and Northamptonshire regions with their job and career.

Method
All trusts from London, Eastern and Thames valley were asked to participate in the survey. Trusts nominated a person to act as coordinator in the distribution of the questionnaires. Each questionnaire was supplied with a self addressed return envelope and covering letter explaining the background of the study and assuring personal confidentiality and anonymity. A total of 1680 questionnaires were distributed to registered pharmacists and 1400 to qualified technicians.

The questionnaire used 37 Likert scale response items selected from Rajah et al^1. Items reflected general and specific aspects of work and career, and a section of personal and employment details were asked.

Data is currently being coded and entered onto a statistical database (SPSS v12).

Study is in progress. 821 pharmacists (49% response) and 619 technicians (44% response) returned the questionnaire. To date, 350 pharmacist and 392 technician cases have been entered into the database and a preliminary analysis has been conducted.

Coefficient alpha has been calculated for job and career satisfaction scales. Two scales exhibited good internal reliability in both pharmacist and technician groups (Cronbach's alpha values for job satisfaction are 0.77 for pharmacists and 0.78 for technicians and values for career satisfaction are 0.85 for pharmacists and 0.80 for technicians).

When comparing pharmacists and technicians job and career satisfaction pharmacists are significantly more satisfied with their jobs and careers than technicians (t= 3.142 p=0.02 job satisfaction and t=1.955 p=0.05 career satisfaction) figure 1.

Conclusion
This preliminary analysis shows that relatively, hospital pharmacists are more satisfied than technicians. However, to conclude whether pharmacist workforce is satisfied as a whole, further analysis is needed. Pharmacy environment is currently under change, and these changes will have an impact on the pharmacy workforce. Full results will be presented.

References

1. T. Rajah, I. Bates, J.G. Davies, D.G. Webb, G. Fleming. An occupational survey of hospital pharmacist in the South of England. Pharm J 2001;266:723-726

2. C.W. Barnett, C.L. Kimberlin. Development and validation of an instrument to measure Pharmacists’ satisfaction with their job and careers. Am J Pharm Educ 1986;50:5-14.