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11598
Watson, Kaitlyn E; Schindel, Theresa J; Chan, Jonathan C H; Tsuyuki, Ross T; Al Hamarneh, Yazid N
2023
A photovoice study on community pharmacists' roles and lived experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Background
Community pharmacists were the face of the health response to the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. Their pivotal role during the pandemic has been widely recognized, as they adapted to continue to provide a higher level of care to their patients.

Objective
The objective of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of frontline pharmacists’ lived experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on their roles.

Methods
Photovoice, a visual research method that uses participant-generated photographs to articulate their experiences, was used with semi-structured interviews to explore pharmacists’ lived experiences. Frontline community pharmacists who provided direct patient care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta, Canada were recruited. Participants were asked to provide 3–5 photos that reflected on how they see themselves as a pharmacist and/or represents what they do as a pharmacist. Data analysis incorporated content, thematic and visual analysis and was facilitated using NVivo software. A published conceptual framework model was used as the foundation of the analysis with care taken to include new concepts. Ethics approval was obtained from the University of Alberta health research ethics board.

Results
Interviews were conducted with 21 participants and they 71 photos. This study advanced the conceptual framework model presented in a scoping review, of what was made visible (pharmacists' information, public health, and medication management roles) and what was invisible but made visible by the pandemic (pharmacists’ leadership roles). It was revealed through the reflective nature of this study the important leadership role pharmacists have in their communities.

Conclusions
This study highlighted the work of community pharmacists responding to the COVID-19 pandemic through their information, public health, medication management, and leadership roles. Their experiences also made visible the cost their work had on them as they did more to adapt and continually respond as the pandemic evolved. Pharmacists recognized their role as leaders in their practice and communities.

Keywords: Qualitative research, Photovoice, Community pharmacists, Roles, Lived experience, COVID-19 pandemic
Research in social & administrative pharmacy : RSAP
19
944-955
https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sapharm.2023.03.005
COVID, Professional Role-General
Pharmacists
Community Care, Public Health
Interview/Focus Group, Qualitative Methods
Canada-Alberta
Journal Article
Published Literature
English