Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40918414›Full record

ArticleExploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy2025

Factors affecting career-related decisions within the contemporary pharmacy workforce in Australia.

Jocelyn Bussing, Lorraine Smith, Bandana Saini

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Jocelyn BussingSydney Pharmacy School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Lorraine SmithSydney Pharmacy School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Bandana SainiSydney Pharmacy School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: Pharmacists are essential to healthcare delivery in Australia, making effective workforce planning critical to ensure equitable health outcomes. This study explores factors influencing the career decisions of Australian pharmacists from diverse demographic and geographical backgrounds with implications for recruitment, retention and policy strategies to address workforce shortages. Method: We conducted semi-structured interviews between November 2022-February 2024. An interview guide informed by relevant literature was used to facilitate the interview process. Participants were recruited through purposive convenience sampling complemented by passive snowballing. All interviews were recorded, field notes were taken and the data transcribed, deidentified, and analysed using NVivo software through an inductive thematic process. Results: Participants exhibited a range of ages, genders, practice settings and locations, which revealed distinct career trajectories and decision-making influences. Three main themes emerged: career initiation (choosing pharmacy as a profession), career development, satisfaction and retention, and the roles of gender, geography and other life issues. Findings indicate that the initial choice to pursue pharmacy was driven by personal aptitude, accessible training locations, promising employability, gender-suitable work configurations, flexibility, and early educational exposure. Early career decisions were shaped by factors such as mentorship, specialised roles, employee benefits, and supportive work environments, while personal life factors further influenced career trajectories. Leadership or ownership aspirations were notably tied to mentors and role models. Limitations include underrepresented perspectives, limited gender diversity among participants, and an all-female research team. Conclusion: These nuanced insights offer Australian pharmacy leaders and policy makers factors to address or capitalise on, to ensure a robust, equitably distributed and motivated workforce.

Indexed as

Career choiceCareer motivationCareer satisfactionPharmacistPharmacy

Identifiers

PMID40918414
PMCPMC12410433

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.