Remote Work in Pharmacy Academia and Implications for the New Normal
William A. Prescott, Daniel R. Kennedy, Judith DeLuca
Abstract
<b>Objective</b>. To determine the extent pharmacy faculty engaged in remote-work during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, and secondarily to characterize pharmacy faculty and administrator perceptions of remote-work. <b>Methods</b>. A 28-question online survey was sent to 6,548 American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) members. Questions centered on the extent of remote-work and perceptions of its impact on productivity, effectiveness, and work-life balance. Focus groups were held to provide additional insight. Data were analyzed statistically, with a priori level of significance set at less than 0.05. <b>Results</b>. 6,322 AACP members met inclusion criteria, of whom 1,293 responded to the survey (21% response-rate). At least one faculty and one administrator responded from 139 (99% response-rate) and 126 schools (89% response-rate), respectively. During the pandemic, 97% of faculty were permitted to work remotely, 94% of whom did so at least "some of the time". Most faculty indicated no change or an improvement in productivity (85%) and effectiveness (80%). Similarly, most administrators indicated no change or an increase in their unit’s productivity (81%) and effectiveness (85%). More than one-half of respondents indicated better work-life balance while working remotely. <b>Conclusion</b>. Nearly all respondents were permitted to work remotely at least "some of the time" during the pandemic. Considering most faculty and administrators believe productivity and effectiveness were not compromised, and that there appear to be benefits to work-life balance, US schools of pharmacy should consider permitting faculty to work remotely some of the time, as we navigate the pandemic and thereafter.