DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUBLIC HOSPITAL PHARMACIST WORKFORCE IN THE RED RIVER DELTA, VIETNAM: A CROSS-SECTIONAL AND RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Tóm tắt

Objectives: This study aims to assess the current status of pharmacists in public hospitals in the Red River Delta (RRD), providing evidence for policymaking and workforce management. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 1,811 pharmacy personnel across 168 public general hospitals in the Red River Delta (RRD) in 2022. The study examined the structure and distribution of pharmacy personnel within hospitals, including workforce distribution by qualification level (DSSDH, DSDH, DCD, DT), pharmacist-to-bed ratio (P/BR), pharmacist-to-doctor ratio (P/DR), pharmacist-to-hospital ratio (P/HR), pharmacist-to-physician ratios (P/PR) and urban-rural distribution. The Gini and Theil indices were not calculated. Results: The pharmacy workforce exhibited significant imbalances, with college and technical secondary pharmacists (DCD) comprising 59.8%, while undergraduate and postgraduate pharmacists (DSDH & DSSDH) accounted for only 38.9%. Notably, 25.6% of hospitals lacked pharmacists. There were major disparities between urban and rural areas, with urban hospitals having higher concentrations of qualified personnel. The P/BR and P/PR ratios varied widely across provinces, reflecting uneven workforce distribution. Conclusion: The number of pharmacists, particularly clinical pharmacists, remains low compared to regional and global standards. Addressing these challenges requires specific policies to optimize workforce structure, ensure rational distribution - especially in rural areas, and enhance pharmacist training to meet healthcare demands.