Women have been involved in pharmacy since they were called apothecaries, but as the profession transitioned into modern medicine, women were left behind. It wasn’t until the mid to late 1800s that women were being recognized as pharmacists. In this special episode for Women Pharmacists Day, Dr. Carlene Link and I discuss the current state of women in pharmacy, our experience as women pharmacists, and our predictions for the future of pharmacy.

The pharmacy profession is at a pivotal crossroads, where decisions made today will have far-reaching consequences. To comprehend this juncture, let's briefly journey through its history.

The truth is, being a pharmacist is a difficult job. We hold a great responsibility to patient care that often conflicts the metrics and bottom line that the business side of the job is constantly tracking. So, when someone asks how we are doing, what if we said our typical “good” in passing but took that as an opportunity to reflect more. What if we took it a step further and asked, “How are you, really?”

Working in a pharmacy can often feel like navigating through a storm of prescriptions, inquiries, and time-sensitive tasks. Whether you're a pharmacist, a technician, an intern, or a resident, the demands of the job can quickly lead to stress and overwhelm. By incorporating these stress-relieving strategies into your rough shifts, you'll be better equipped to go through your workday with a sense of calm and control.

Discover how a 7-minute gratitude letter can significantly reduce burnout risk in healthcare workers! I delve into a groundbreaking research article from Duke University that explores the impact of gratitude on happiness, work-life balance, and emotional exhaustion. Learn about the surprising findings, the effectiveness of writing a gratitude letter and the actionable steps you can take to improve your well-being.

As a whole, pharmacy residents are incredibly resilient. If they weren't, it is unlikely that they would have made it through pharmacy school and the residency match process. With the results of a 2018 survey of pharmacy residents showing that 39.9% had symptoms of moderate to severe depression during residency (over 3 times the rate of the general population of the same age), it is safe to say that something needs to be done, but what?

If there is one thing I have learned about pharmacists in my 12 years in the profession, it's that pharmacists are great at prioritizing patient needs over their own health.