Analysis and Providing of Continuous Professional Development for Pharmacists: Challenges in Wartime in Ukraine

OBJECTIVES: During the war in Ukraine, pharmacists constantly provide good pharmaceutical care, ensure the content of appropriate first aid kits in the combat zone. Ukraine receives a humanitarian aid for war victims, so pharmacists must have good knowledge about all medicines.

METHODS: Survey, creation of a sample of expert pharmacists, data analysis.

RESULTS: A survey of 133 pharmacists was conducted on the opinion on a system of Continuous Professional Development(CPD) during the period of martial law during September-October 2022. There was conducted that 85.5% of pharmacists had the need to conduct CPD. 26% of pharmacists do not know the requirements of the Order of the Ministry of Health regulating the CPD of pharmacist.Only 11.5% of pharmacists obtained a postgraduate certificate because the employer does not allow work to be performed without appropriate valid documents. 74% of pharmacists indicated that CPD during the martial law and quarantine, the most convenient method of training is individual self-education and distance learning.

60.3% Pharmacists have a need to update their knowledge Organization and management of a pharmacy. Reasons that will not allow pharmacists to provide an appropriate level continuous development during the war are: constant need to be at the workplace 48.7%, lack of a sense of security 47.9%, constant stress 42.9%, emotional burnout at work 35.3%, spending time off work on volunteering 7.6%.

It was found that the main motivations of pharmacists are: satisfaction with new knowledge and acquired skills (36.6%), improvement of work organization (29%), salary increase or career development (25.2%). It should be noted that 94.7% of wartime pharmacists in Ukraine do their job properly, ensuring people adhere to therapy.

CONCLUSIONS: Using the method of surveying pharmacist the western part of Ukraine, it was established that during the wartime there is a great need for continuous professional development of pharmacists and distance trainings.