Dergi makalesi Açık Erişim

The prevalence and impacts of violence in community pharmacies: a cross-sectional and qualitative study

2025    İlbars Hilal; Bebitoğlu Terzioğlu Berna; Hıdıroğlu Seyhan; Doğanç Fatma Burcu; Varol Yağız

Background/aim: Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians working in community pharmacies are at risk of workplace violence, which can adversely affect job satisfaction, productivity, and mental health. This study investigated the prevalence and impacts of violence in community pharmacies in Ankara using a mixed-methods approach that combined cross-sectional survey data with qualitative insights.

Materials and methods: The target population included pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. We examined demographic factors, psychological outcomes, and the nature of violent incidents. From a sample of 355 pharmacies, data were collected via a 39-item survey and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21), supplemented by qualitative interviews with 12 pharmacists.

Results: A total of 242 participants took part in the study: 174 pharmacists (71.9%; median age 46.0 years) and 68 pharmacy technicians (28.1%; median age 35.0 years). Overall, 63.2% reported at least one violent incident (58.0% of pharmacists; 76.5% of pharmacy technicians). Verbal violence was the most common form, and technicians reported significantly more violence than pharmacists. Perpetrators were typically patients or their relatives; societal violence and problems in the health system were frequently cited contributors. Many participants did not pursue legal action, citing burnout and a perception of violence as an occupational norm. DASS-21 findings indicated higher anxiety among technicians. Exposure to violence was associated with lower stress and depression scores among pharmacists but not among technicians.

Conclusion: Violence in community pharmacies is common—particularly verbal abuse—and disproportionately affects pharmacy technicians. Addressing this problem requires enhanced training, support, and security measures, and extending White Code legal protections to community pharmacies to improve safety and service quality.