Hospital Pharmacy Workforce Project

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The European Hospital Pharmacy Workforce Investigation
Dear Colleagues,

We invite all pharmacists working in hospitals, pharmacy assistants, technicians, and other related professionals to participate in this important survey about workforce dynamics within hospital pharmacy settings.

This study aims to gather insights into staffing levels, evolving professional roles, job satisfaction factors, and other key aspects affecting professionals in European hospitals. Your responses will help develop evidence-based strategies to strengthen workforce planning, support professional development, and address the challenges faced by hospital pharmacy teams.

The survey uses conditional (skip) logic, ensuring that the questions you see are relevant to your professional role and previous answers.

🕒 Estimated Completion Time: 10–15 minutes.

🔒 Confidentiality: All responses are anonymous and will be treated with strict confidentiality.

We greatly appreciate your time and contributions to this important initiative.

Sincerely,

Nenad Miljković

EAHP President

Petr Horák

EAHP Workforce Project Chairman
The note on pharmaceutical technicians/assistants and other professions:

This questionnaire is intended for all pharmacists and pharmacy technicians working in hospitals and hospital pharmacies in the EAHP member countries. As we do not have a uniform definition of the profession of pharmacy assistant in Europe, for the purposes of this survey, we use the following:

A pharmacy technician is a healthcare professional who assists pharmacists in dispensing medications and providing pharmaceutical services. Their responsibilities may typically include preparing and dispensing prescription medications under the supervision of a pharmacist, managing inventory, storage, processing prescriptions, and compounding medicines, and dispensing medical devices.

In Europe, a pharmacy technician is also named a "Pharmaceutical Technician," "Pharmaceutical Assistant," or "Pharmacist Assistant," depending on the country (there are further names that are specific to different countries; namely, the Nordic countries have all different names for Pharmacy Technicians). This questionnaire is also relevant to all other healthcare professionals working in hospital pharmacies with similar competencies as pharmacy assistants (i.e., nurses).
Saving the survey draft

Depending on your role, this survey will take approximately 10 to 15 minutes. Should you need to interrupt your work on the survey, you may save the draft and continue the survey later. You will find the SAVE button at the end of each page. If you click this button, the prompt will ask you to log in to Jotform using your Google or Microsoft account, or sign up using your email. Nevertheless, you may skip this step using the link below ("Skip Create an Account"). In the next step, the system will allow you to copy the link to your saved draft or fill in your email to which the link will be sent.
Introductory part
With which gender do you identify?*

manwomannon-binaryotherprefer not to say
What age are you?*

18-2425-3435-4445-5455-6465 and older
How many years of experience do you have in hospital pharmacy?*

Less than 1 year1–5 years6–10 years11–15 years16-20 years21-30 yearsMore than 30 years
Have you ever worked in another sector?*

YesNo
In which sector have you worked?*

Community pharmacyPharmaceutical industryAcademiaAnother healthcare professionAnother sector than healthcareOther
Working position*

Chief pharmacist/deputy chief pharmacistChief pharmacy technician/deputy chief pharmacy technicianLead pharmacist (e.g. department lead/middle management of pharmacy)Lead pharmacy technician (e.g. department lead/middle management of pharmacy)Specialist pharmacistConsultant pharmacistPharmacistPharmacy technicianResident pharmacistOther, please specify
What are your current working hours?*

Employed full-timeEmployed part-timeCurrently on leave (e.g., maternity, paternity, sickness, etc.)Other, please specify
In which country do you work?*
Your hospital is located in?*

Capital of the countryRegional capitalOther urban areaRural area
Type of hospital (tick all that apply. For instance, if you work in a general hospital which also cooperates with a university on teaching future healthcare professionals, select both "General" and "Teaching").*

GeneralSpecialistTeaching (University/faculty/academia hospital)
Hospital ownership*

Public (owned and operated by government, region(s), cities, etc.).Private (owned and operated by private entities/organisations or individuals)Other, please specify
Number of beds*

0-100101-500501-10001001 and more
Services provided by your hospital pharmacy (tick all that apply)*

Procurement/stock managementDispensing of medicinesDispensing of medical devicesClinical pharmacy servicesCompoundingOutpatient servicesPharmacy informaticsPharmacovigilanceResearchClinical trialsQuality improvement and auditEducation and mentorship
Which compounding services does your hospital pharmacy department provide?*

CytotoxicsGene therapyOther sterile compoundingNon-sterile compoundingCentralised reconstitution servicesOther
Which medical devices dispensing services does your hospital pharmacy department provide?*

For inpatient useFor outpatient useOther
Which medicines dispensing services does your hospital pharmacy department provide?*

Dispensing inpatient medications (bulk /ward stock)Dispensing inpatient medications (single unit/unit dose; labelled for individual patient use)Dispensing outpatient medicationDispensing medication on dischargeOther
Which procurement/drug supply services does your hospital pharmacy department provide?*

Procurement/drug supply for the hospitalProcurement/drug supply for other hospital or healthcare providers (on routine basis)Stock management in pharmacyStock management on the wardsOther
Which clinical pharmacy services does your hospital pharmacy department provide?*

Therapeutic drug monitoring/evaluationMedication reconciliationMedication reviewAttending multiprofessional ward roundsAttending pharmacy team ward roundsPrescribing medicationOther
Which education/mentoring services does your hospital pharmacy department provide?*

Teaching and mentoring pharmacistsTeaching and mentoring resident pharmacists / foundation trainee pharmacistsTeaching and mentoring undergraduate pharmacy studentsTeaching and mentoring pharmacy techniciansTeaching and mentoring pharmacy technician studentsOther
What is your primary responsibility?*

ManagementClinical pharmacyDispensingCompoundingClinical trialsTeaching/EducationResearchProcurementStock managementOutpatient servicesOther (please specify)

General questions/perception
Is there a shortage of hospital pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, or support staff in your HOSPITAL (please see the definitions below)?*

No shortageMild shortageModerate shortageSevere shortageCritical shortageUnsure
No shortage: The number of staff corresponds to demand; no overload or service disruption is observed.

Mild shortage: Temporary gaps; some positions are harder to fill, but services are maintained without major limitations.

Moderate shortage: Regular staffing issues, increasing workload, frequent overtime, and occasional service delays or reductions.

Severe shortage: Unable to maintain services at standard levels; departments may close, patients may be turned away, and positions remain unfilled for extended periods.

Critical shortage: Systemic crisis, patient safety at risk, significant service failures, emergency measures required.
In which working category(ies)?*

Hospital pharmacistsPharmacy technicians working in hospitalsLeadership roles – hospital pharmacistsLeadership roles – pharmacy techniciansSpecialists in certain fieldsSupporting personnelOther (please specify)

Which factors, in your opinion, contribute to the workforce shortages in your HOSPITAL?*

	Not at all important	Not much important	NEUTRAL, N/A	Quite important	Very important
New roles of hospital pharmacists (and HP workforce in general)
Ageing population/increased number of patients
Increased workload due to personalisation of care
Ageing workforce
Non-sufficient number of graduates
Decreasing interest in healthcare/pharmacy professions
Too challenging career (to pass through a specialisation process, for example)
Insufficient wages
Suboptimal working conditions
Insufficient support from other professions
(Hospital) pharmacy workforce leaving to other countries (brain drain)
Hospital pharmacy workforce leaving the hospital sector
Insufficient workforce level set by regulation
Growing number of administrative tasks

Are there any other factors contributing to the workforce shortages in your HOSPITAL?
Have you noticed changes in your HOSPITAL's workforce situation (supply vs. demand) over the past 5 years?*

It has significantly improvedIt has slightly improvedNo significant changeIt has slightly worsenedIt has significantly worsened

Which factors, in your opinion, contribute to the reasons behind the sufficient hospital pharmacy workforce/lack of HP workforce shortages in your HOSPITAL? Please rank the importance of the following factors.*

	Not at all important	Not much important	NEUTRAL, N/A	Quite important	Very important
high numbers of pharmacist graduates
high numbers of pharmacy technician graduates
competitive salaries
structured training for new graduates
clear career path in hospital
attractive working terms and conditions
Interesting and challenging career path
availability of experiential learning in local hospitals for pharmacy students during their undergraduate degree

Are there any other factors contributing to sufficient hospital pharmacy workforce in your hospital? (please specify)

Impacts of the Shortage

How has the current workforce shortage impacted service delivery in your hospital/hospital pharmacy? Please rank the impact*

	Neutral, N/A	No impact	Low impact	Significant impact	Very high impact
Longer waiting times for patients
Reduced time for direct patient care and consultations
Increased risk of errors or compromised patient safety
Delayed implementation of new services/clinical roles
Higher stress levels and burnout among staff
Negative impact on multidisciplinary/multi-professional cooperation
Reduced support to other professions/clinical decision processes
Staff leaving the hospital pharmacy for other sectors
Staff opting for a "portfolio" career and working in a number of sectors e.g. community and hospital, etc.

Are there any other substantial impacts of the workforce shortage on your services?

Questions specific to chief pharmacists/chief pharmacy technicians (and deputies)
How many FTEs of pharmacists work in your hospital? *
How many FTEs of pharmacy technicians work in your hospital? *
How many employees (in FTEs) work in your hospital pharmacy department altogether?*

Which services/activities are most affected by workforce shortage?*

	Neutral, N/A	No impact	Low impact	Significant impact	Very high impact
Clinical Pharmacy Services
Dispensing
Compounding
Procurement
Quality assurance
Research and publications
Outpatient oriented activities
Multiprofessional/multidisciplinary cooperation
Implementation of new services/technologies
Personalisation of care

Have any services or activities been cancelled, slowed down or postponed due to workforce shortages?*

YesNo
Which services or activities have been cancelled, slowed down or postponed due to workforce shortages?*
In which of the following workforce categories do you experience shortages? (Tick all that apply.)*

Lead pharmacistsConsultant pharmacistsExperienced pharmacistsEntry-level pharmacistsExperienced pharmacy techniciansPharmacy technician specialistsEntry-level pharmacy techniciansSupporting personnelOther
In which of the following workforce categories do you experience shortages? (Tick all that apply.)*

Lead pharmacy techniciansExperienced pharmacy techniciansPharmacy technician specialistsEntry-level pharmacy techniciansSupporting personnelOther

How many FTEs would you need to fix the shortage? (Please enter 0 if there is no shortage in the working category.)*

	FTEs
Lead pharmacists
Consultant pharmacists
Experienced pharmacists
Entry-level pharmacists
Lead pharmacy technicians
Experienced pharmacy technicians
Pharmacy technician specialists
Entry-level pharmacy technicians
Supporting personnel

How many FTEs would you need to fix the shortage? (Please enter 0 if there is no shortage in the working category.)*

	FTEs
Lead pharmacy technicians
Experienced pharmacy technicians
Pharmacy technician specialists
Entry-level pharmacy technicians
Supporting personnel

Is your management/HR aware of the problem?*

YesNo
Do you have a human resource plan (a workforce development plan) on (tick all that apply):*

Pharmacy levelHospital levelRegional levelNational levelThere is no human resource plan related to the hospital pharmacy workforce I am aware of

Hiring process & salaries
Can you find a suitable candidate once the position is open/approved in a timely manner?*

YesNo
For which working categories you are unable to find a suitable candidate(s) in a timely manner:*

PharmacistsPharmacy techniciansSupporting personnelOther
For which working categories you are unable to find a suitable candidate(s) in a timely manner:*

Pharmacy techniciansSupporting personnelOther
Is there a significant number of your staff coming from abroad? (Tick all that apply)*

Yes, pharmacistsYes, pharmacy techniciansYes, supporting personnelNo
Do you think YOUR COLLEAGUES are paid fairly?*

YesNoNot sureOther

Strategies & mitigation

Which strategies would be most effective in addressing workforce shortages in hospital pharmacies?*

	Not Effective	Slightly Effective	Moderately Effective	Very Effective	Extremely Effective
Increasing salaries and benefits
Redesigning competences
Improving working conditions (e.g., better staffing ratios, reduced overtime)
Streamlining or improving specialisation pathways (making it less cumbersome)
Enhancing support from pharmacy technicians/assistants
Enhancing support from the supporting professions (e. g. administrative)
Offering more flexible working hours and career development opportunities
Implementing retention measures (e.g., mentorship, career progression)
Strengthening collaboration with other healthcare professionals to share workload
Advocating for national or European-level policy changes on staffing requirements
Raising awareness about hospital pharmacy

Are there any other strategies you would like to add?
What are the current measures for mitigating the workforce shortages in your hospital? (Tick all that apply.)*

use of temporary or locum staffuse of non pharmacist / non -pharmacy technician staff to complete administrative tasksregional or national recruitment drivesattractive salary packagessupport for relocationautomatic upgrading to higher salary after completion of residency / postgraduate training / specialisationprotected learning timea structured career pathIntegration of automation to reduce workloadImplementing flexible work schedulesOther
Do you think you are paid fairly?*

YesNoNot sure
Why do you think you are not paid fairly?

My salary does not reflect my workload.My pay is lower than that of colleagues with similar roles/experience.My salary has not increased in line with inflation or performance.Other

Job satisfaction/well-being
Why did you enter hospital pharmacy? (Tick all that apply.)*

Enjoy working/practising in this area of pharmacyTeam workingMulti-professional environmentOpportunities for professional developmentUsing the full range of my skillsProfessional autonomyDefined career pathwayFinancial incentivesLimited chance to practice elsewherePatient-centred approach in hospital pharmacy
Are you satisfied with your working conditions?*

1

2

3

4

5

1 is Worst, 5 is Best
Have you considered leaving your current position due to workforce-related challenges (e.g., excessive workload, low wages, stressful environment)?*

Yes, I have already left or plan to leave soonYes, I am seriously considering leavingI have briefly considered itNo, I have never considered leaving
How likely is it you will be working in the hospital pharmacy sector in one year?*

1

2

3

4

5

1 is Very unlikely, 5 is Very likely
How likely is it you will be working in the hospital pharmacy sector in 3 years?*

1

2

3

4

5

1 is Very unlikely, 5 is Very likely
How likely is it you will be working in the hospital pharmacy sector in 5 or more years?*

1

2

3

4

5

1 is Very unlikely, 5 is Very likely
If you answered highly likely/likely for any of the options in the previous question, for what reason(s) would you wish to stay in hospital pharmacy/not consider a change? Please tick all that apply.*

Enjoy working in this area of pharmacyTeam workingMulti-professional environmentOpportunities for professional developmentUsing the full range of my skillsProfessional autonomyDefined career pathwayFinancial incentivesLimited chance to practice elsewhereApproaching retirementOther
If you answered highly unlikely/unlikely, for what reason(s) are you considering a change? Please tick all that apply.*

Unsustainable workloadUnmanageable levels of stress in current roleFinding hospital pharmacy unrewardingHaving to work too many hoursHaving to work on weekendsConsidering working outside pharmacyConsidering working in a different area of pharmacyFinancial incentives outside of the current area of practiceLack of defined career pathwayApproaching retirementUse the full range of my skillsLimited opportunity to practice in current roleSeeking further opportunities for professional development/ CPD requirementsMulti-professional environment elsewhereProfessional autonomyTeam workingOther

Overall job satisfaction*

	Strongly disagree	Disagree	Unsure	Agree	Strongly agree
Are you satisfied with your professional development?
Does your workplace offer you enough time for your professional development?
Do you have a clear professional development plan/Clear career pathway?
Do you feel supported enough by other professions?
Do you feel appreciated enough by your patients?
Do you feel appreciated enough by your colleagues?
Do you feel appreciated enough by other healthcare professionals and management in hospital?
Do you feel effectively supported by your superiors?

Dear colleague, thank you for your time on this questionnaire. The very last part focuses on the risk of burnout among hospital pharmacy personnel.

The Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI) is a set of questions (below) designed to assess employee burnout levels by focusing on two key dimensions: exhaustion and disengagement. Unlike other burnout measures, the OLBI includes positively and negatively worded items to provide a more balanced and accurate view of how individuals experience their work. The exhaustion items evaluate feelings of physical and cognitive fatigue, while the disengagement items assess emotional distance and lack of enthusiasm toward work tasks. You, as the respondents, are encouraged to answer honestly based on your recent experiences, as your feedback can possibly help organisations understand workforce well-being and develop better support strategies.

The Oldenburg Burnout Inventory*

	Strongly disagree	Disagree	Agree	Strongly agree
I always find new and interesting aspects in my work
There are days when I feel tired before I arrive at work
It happens more and more often that I talk about my work in a negative way
After work, I tend to need more time than in the past in order to relax and feel better
I can tolerate the pressure of my work very well
Lately, I tend to think less at work and do my job almost mechanically
I find my work to be a positive challenge
During my work, I often feel emotionally drained
Over time, one can become disconnected from this type of work
After working, I have enough energy for my leisure activities
Sometimes I feel sickened by my work tasks
After my work, I usually feel worn out and weary
This is the only type of work that I can imagine myself doing
Usually, I can manage the amount of my work well
I feel more and more engaged in my work
When I work, I usually feel energized

Finishing questions
Describe one change you feel would be most effective at resolving workforce shortages:
In your opinion, will the workforce shortage be mitigated in the next 5 years?*

It will significantly improveIt will slightly improveIt will remain the sameIt will slightly worsenIt will significantly worsen
Is there anything you would like to add?
Should be Empty:

The European Hospital Pharmacy Workforce Investigation

The note on pharmaceutical technicians/assistants and other professions:

Saving the survey draft

Introductory part

General questions/perception

Impacts of the Shortage

Questions specific to chief pharmacists/chief pharmacy technicians (and deputies)

Hiring process & salaries

Strategies & mitigation

Job satisfaction/well-being

Finishing questions