| Abstrak/Abstract |
Background: Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) was identified in China on December 2019 and became a global pandemic on March 2020. Pharmacist has a big role and responsibilities to fight the pandemic. This objective of the study was to explore the role and responsibilities of a pharmacist during the pandemic in Indonesia.
Methods: A cross-sectional online survey on perception of and roles by a pharmacist to the Covid19-pandemic was conducted during the COVID-19 outbreak from 1 to 30 April 2020. The questionnaire contained pharmacist profiles, 15 questions of leadership, staff, patient care, infection prevention, and drug supply management domain. The instrument based on COVID-19 safety advice from the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) for pharmacists. Data was reported descriptively.
Results: Between 320 pharmacists, most of them had 1-5 years of work experience (65.63%) and 37.81% attended at least three workshops on coronavirus topics. The information source most commonly used by pharmacists was social media (72.19%). Pharmacists were mostly effective at handling patient care and medication supply. The perception of pharmacist was more significant among males, hospital pharmacists, and pharmacists who have served for 5 years or more. The functions of a pharmacist in doing patient care and supporting infection prevention was more significant to male pharmacists, pharmacists employed in hospitals, pharmacists employed
for 5 years or more, and pharmacists attending 3 or more coronavirus workshops. Finally, the understanding of a pharmacist's role in managing drug supply was higher to the community of pharmacists aged 35-55, pharmacists working in hospitals, and pharmacists who have worked for 5 years or more.
Conclusion: Pharmacists as a healthcare team can play many critical role to help the world fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Pharmacist have a good perception to be adaptable with their role and new responsibilities during COVID-19 pandemic. |
