Overview of working conditions in pharmacy technology units: A professional evaluation in five French healthcare institution

Introduction

Pharmacy compounding in oncology requires strict adherence to technical and regulatory constraints to guarantee the quality and safety of preparations for both patients and staff. Good manufacturing practices define this framework by mandating trained and qualified personnel, as well as suitable work zones and equipment. These requirements can influence the quality of work life (QWL) for pharmacy professionals. The study aims to provide an overview of working conditions across five French teams working in a pharmacy technology unit dedicated to the preparation of sterile cytotoxic drugs.

Materials and Methods

A survey, adapted from the GABO questionnaire, was developed and distributed to pharmaceutical teams (n = 111) over a 5–week period.

Results

Eighty-eight questionnaires were returned (79.3% response rate); however, five were excluded due to a completion rate below 60%. Ultimately, eighty-three questionnaires with a completion rate exceeding 60% were analysed (74.7% participation rate). The mean score of working conditions is 5.6 out of 10. Factors negatively influence this score include, among others:

Noise levels (65% rated high or very high), which caused discomfort for 45% of healthcare professionals (HCPs)

Conclusion

To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to present HCPs’ perception of their working environment. Improvements are necessary, and professional levers for change have been identified: team atmosphere and the diversity of assigned tasks.