Professional Fulfillment and Burnout in Fourth-Year Pharmacy Students and Risk Factors for the Future: A Mixed Methods Study

Objective: Many factors shape the professional identity of pharmacy students; however, little is known about the influence of well-being. Two aspects of well-being explored in this study include professional fulfillment and burnout. We describe the current levels of each among fourth-year pharmacy students, identify possible predictors, and uncover themes.

Methods: The Stanford Professional Fulfillment Index was used to measure professional fulfillment and burnout among students in the prior 2 weeks. Multivariable linear regressions were conducted to identify individual characteristics and activities as predictors of professional fulfillment and burnout. Upon completion of activities to foster personal wellness, student self-reflections were analyzed using thematic analysis to describe student-perceived barriers and facilitators of professional fulfillment and burnout.

Results: In total 54 students completed the Professional Fulfillment Index, wellness activities, and self-reflection. Having already completed the jurisprudence examination required for licensure and having a job upon graduation were statistically significantly associated with higher professional fulfillment scores. We identified that working in a non-pharmacy-related job, while completing practicums, was statistically significantly associated with higher work exhaustion scores. Themes uncovered from student self-reflections included a definition of wellness, how doing what you are supposed to be doing and working in a psychologically and physically safe environment contributes to professional fulfillment, and system-level factors leading to burnout.

Conclusion: This study provides evidence of the importance of supporting pharmacy students in the completion of the steps to licensure, the value of exposure to a variety of pharmacist-related activities through experiential education, and well-being as foundational to professional identity.