Ethical dilemmas and moral distress in pharmacy: A qualitative study

Abstract

Background: Ethics represents an important aspect in the work of all pharmacists. This study reports the first results of a national survey supported by the Pharmaceutical Chamber of Serbia to identify and analyze ethical concerns and dilemmas in pharmacy practice. Aims and method: This paper explores: what community pharmacists experience as ethical dilemma which lids to moral distress and identification, analysis and classification of ethical dilemmas and moral distress. A qualitative approach using semi- structured interview was chosen. Interviews were conducted with a purposive sample (with regards to working experience, age, education, working location and employment status) of fourteen pharmacists from Northern Serbia. Results: Pharmacists employed in community pharmacies are exposed to ethical issues and moral distress in their everyday work. Analysis of the transcripts of the interviews identified different ethical dilemmas and moral distress which could be classified into five main themes. Analysis of the data of main thems revealed the emergence of subthemes. Conclusion: The results show the ethical dimension of moral distress. All ethical dilemmas and moral distress from the interviewees' statements may be classified into five categories. The research also raises questions about the effective education of pharmacists in the field of ethical issues.