Abstract
The present study investigated the impact of an assertion workshop（WS） among pharmacists engaged in home care settings. The WS consisted of a 2-hour introductory lecture on assertion and a 3-hour role-play session simulating interprofessional team in home care. Thirty-seven pharmacists participated in the WS. The Interprofessional Assertiveness Scale（ IAS） was administered before, immediately after, and one month after the WS. The Pharmacist's Stress Scale for Home Care（ PSS） and the Brief Scales for Coping Profile（ BSCP） were administered before and one month after the WS. Among the 35 pharmacists who completed all surveys, data from 26 with home care experience were analyzed by comparing mean scores and assessing correlations among scales. The mean score for assertive self-expression on the IAS significantly increased one month after the WS compared to before WS. The mean PSS scores of pharmacists before the WS indicated higher stress related to “patient care” and “interpersonal relationships in the workplace,” whereas after the WS, higher stress was reported in relation to “workload and work content.” Regarding stress coping, before the WS, pharmacists with non-assertive tendencies were less likely to use problem-focused coping strategies. After the WS, however, pharmacists with assertive tendencies were more likely to engage in problem-focused coping. These findings suggest that the assertion WS was effective in fostering an assertive attitude, which may help alleviate stress associated with interpersonal tasks such as patient care and expand the range of stress management options available to pharmacists.
