title: An exploration of work-related stress in Northern Ireland community pharmacy: a qualitative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was, through qualitative methodology, to explore the factors which contribute to job-related stress in community pharmacy in Northern Ireland.
  
  
  METHODS
  All community pharmacists in Northern Ireland were invited to participate in one-to-one semi-structured interviews. Interview schedules explored pharmacists' attitudes to job-related stress and the situations that may contribute to stress. All interviews took place at participants' work sites between December 2007 and April 2008, were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim, read independently by the authors and analysed using thematic analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventeen pharmacists participated in the interviews. The main themes that emerged in relation to job-related stress were workplace issues, issues regarding professional expansion, recognition and responsibility, and a demanding public. Although there was general support for development in community pharmacy, this was tempered by concerns as to how expectations would be met and how all services would be delivered.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The themes that emerged from this work reflect what was reported from a survey conducted in 2007 and reinforce the tension between developments in practice and the ability to deliver. Developments in professional practice can be positive; however, commissioners and policy-makers need to consider whether community pharmacists have the infrastructure in terms of environment, personnel and multi-professional support to deliver what is required of them.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: McCann
authors.forename: Colin G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Adair
authors.forename: Carmel M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Hughes
mesh_terms: D003157:Community Pharmacy Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009660:Northern Ireland; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology*; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology