The relationship between pharmacy practice setting and job design.

The context in which pharmacists work has changed over the history of the profession from a majority working as independent shopkeepers to the present situation in which an increasingly larger number of pharmacists work as employees in a variety of work settings. This study examines differences in the effectiveness of work design within these work settings. A nationwide survey was conducted to determine differences between independent, hospital and chain pharmacy settings. Significant differences were observed for aspects of job satisfaction, job/organization involvement, turnover, and professionalism. Evidence is presented for recognition of a need for a differentiated job design for practicing pharmacists.