Intern Pharmacists’ Job Satisfaction, Perception of the Profession and Preparedness to Provide Pharmaceutical Care Services in Southeastern Nigeria

Abstract

Purpose of study: To determine job satisfaction, perception towards pharmacists, and preparedness to provide pharmaceutical care (PC) among intern pharmacists.

Methodology: A prospective survey of all intern pharmacists in South - Eastern Nigeria was done. A questionnaire with five sections measuring work characteristics, job satisfaction, perception towards pharmacists, and preparedness to provide PC was administered. Descriptive analysis and chi-square tests for differences in proportions were calculated.

Results: It took interns an average of 10 months to get an internship position after graduation. The interns were barely satisfied with their workplaces and conditions (2.83 of 4.0). They held moderately positive perceptions about pharmacist's clinical roles in the hospital (3.79 of 5.0) and felt marginally prepared to provide PC on graduation (3.38 of 5.0). The interns’ age, gender, future career aspirations influenced their perception of pharmacists’ clinical roles and preparedness to provide PC (p<0.05 for all).

Conclusion: It takes a very long time to get a place for an internship in Nigeria. Interns were marginally satisfied with their jobs, held favorable perceptions about the profession, and didn’t feel adequately prepared to provide PC in all items assessed.