The Professional Roles and Core Competencies of Pharmacists in Disaster Management - A Qualitative Study

Introduction: The role of pharmacists in disasters has been increasingly acknowledged, yet their responsibilities and core competencies for effective disaster management remain insufficiently defined, limiting their engagement. As pharmacists’ roles in clinical care expand, their involvement in disaster situations has similarly evolved. However, conventional pharmacy education in Taiwan currently lacks comprehensive training in disaster management. This study aims to elucidate pharmacists’ roles in disaster management and identify essential competencies, proposing a framework for advancing disaster-related education for pharmacists. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted through semi-structured interviews from July 2024 to November 2024 with senior pharmacists from the Pharmaceutical Society of Taiwan, the Federation of Taiwan Pharmacists Association, and healthcare professionals from five disaster medical assistance teams. Participants were purposively selected, and the interviews explored pharmacists’ roles and required competencies in disaster contexts. Data were transcribed and analyzed via thematic analysis, with a second researcher contributing to enhance reliability. Preliminary findings were reviewed by participants to ensure validity. Results: Theoretical saturation was achieved after interviewing 15 participants. Nine categories of roles and their respective competencies were identified: understanding of disasters, self management, clinical pharmacy, pharmaceutical management, first-aid skills, psychological support, medical assistance, teamwork, and policy-making. These were consolidated into four key themes: basic disaster knowledge, pharmaceutical care in disasters, healthcare extension, and disaster management. These themes form a progressive structure for pharmacists’ education in disaster management, grounded in their professional expertise. It begins with the application and enhancement of existing knowledge based on an understanding of disasters and extends to other healthcare related services, ultimately progressing to disaster management. Conclusion: The study identified the professional roles of pharmacists in disaster management, encompassing nine core competencies. This framework provides a basis for defining training objectives and structuring disaster preparedness programs for pharmacists.