The ongoing shortage of pharmacists has meant that numerous Alaska pharmacies are open shorter hours and longer wait times for getting prescriptions filled. On the other hand newly-graduated pharmacists are receiving massive signing bonuses as well as student loan reimbursement due to their high demand.
State Pharmacy Doctor State Pharmacist Dr. Coleman Cutchins, who is also a teacher of pharmacists at the University of Alaska Anchorage, says that the shortage is not an issue that is new to Alaska however the coronavirus pandemic has caused the root of some problems.
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The transcript below has been edited lightly for clarity.
Coleman Cutchins The entire country, there were large number of people who quit the health care industry. The majority of them were sort of towards the end of their careers. They could have retired years ago but they just remained in the field. We witnessed that — pharmacists, doctors, nurses We witnessed a lot of medical professionals either retire or quit clinical care to move on to other. My take on it and what I’ve observed through my former residents and students in this area is that opening opportunities in other areas provided opportunities to people who could not have had COVID. COVID. The pharmacists who I consider to be exceptional who, you know I trained, with whom I have worked with, have all left and all have left for the chance to work in a different area or for a similar job where the costs of living or the same opportunity close to families, as they have young children. I don’t think there was something specific to Alaska during the outbreak, however, I believe it was more likely that many opportunities were offered other locations and people were able to go in any direction they wanted to or had a compelling reason to. Do you think that’s logical?
Casey Grove: Yes. Maybe not even the pharmacist profession. There is evidence of this across many demographics. This is a real phenomenon. What specific events that occurred during the COVID epidemic do you think caused pharmacists to leave their jobs? are referring to, leaving their job?
Coleman Cutchins I’ve spoken to several people who are part of the community. I don’t believe there was any direct cause for the outbreak. Another piece of the puzzle that I believe was directly affected by the pandemic was pharmacy technicians. There’s more than just staff shortages that affect retail pharmacies throughout the country. In addition, those who I spoke to work in the community settings are referring to technicians because, as you’re aware that your technicians are your ancillary staff. They help you run it. It’s impossible to run without them. In most staffing models, there are three to four pharmacists per technician. Therefore, if there’s no technician however, you’ll need to restrict the hours. Therefore, the issue of a shortage of technicians is I’m talking about community pharmacies. is a stressful work environment. There was stress, anxiety there, as you can imagine in COVID. There are plenty of other things they could accomplish with the same dollars. But, unfortunately that the pay scale isn’t even close, as we’ve seen with the majority of paraprofessionals. Also that they have alternative options with pay that is comparable and don’t face many of the pressures we see in the healthcare field.
Casey Grove: It’s possible that it’s pharmacists or technicians in the retail sector You mentioned that it’s stressful. Also, I believe that one thing we’ve observed through the COVID epidemic is negative comments directed towards those frontline workers. I believe it’s safe to say they’re. Are you of the opinion that this could be a factor also?
Coleman Cutchins: Well If I had not spoken to a number of people working in these environments I would probably have replied, “Yeah, that probably is a factor.” But, truthfully, I mean, among all the people I spoke with and talked to, none mentioned the fact that they were motivated by it. Thus, I’d get stories from people who say “Oh this pharmacy, oh that they’re experiencing hostility about vaccines even though they’ve never experienced animosity towards vaccines.” That’s right it’s true that this happened. However, I didn’t hear anyone, during the process of preparation for this, discuss the public hostility as the reason why they feel they’re not able to be a good staff member.
Casey Grove: Simply working in a retail establishment in any way, however it is stressful.
Coleman Cutchins: Yeah. Yeah, maybe. Community pharmacy can be stressful. It is even more stressful when you’re not staffed. Since when you cut your hours, you’ll be doing the same amount of work, but it’s going to be within the shorter period of time. This can increase stress degree.
Casey Grove: How often do you sit in a pharmacy class, teaching students?
Coleman Cutchins More to come this season, and in the next semester? However, I’ve always made it an effort to get involved in education for pharmacists, and I’m also a lecturer for the College of Pharmacy. I’m there quite often.
Casey Grove: Do you see students in these classes who are eager to be out in the world to help others? It’s like thinking of them wearing a white lab coat and raising their hands for each question. But, I’m asking can you imagine this?
Coleman Cutchins: I do. And always have. I’ve been involved with pharmacy education throughout my profession, either in the classroom or in the clinical setting. Since the fourth year in the Pharm D (Doctor of Pharmacy) program is comprised of clinical rotations. You’ll rotate through various locations for practice, which is similar to on-the-job learning or on-the-job training. That’s right, at this point in their lives as a profession. At this moment, if they’re not keen, maybe they could have chosen a different path in their life. It’s a good thing they’ve had the right choices before signing up.
Casey Grove: Yeah, definitely. Are they wearing white lab coats?
Coleman Cutchins: Yes For at the College of Pharmacy, they hold an annual White Coat Ceremony where they receive their white coats when they start their first year. They are welcomed into the ranks of pharmacy students at this point.
Casey Grove: It’s adorable or something.
Coleman Cutchins: I’ll say that I don’t think I’ve ever donned white in a formal setting. I don’t believe I did.
