Burnout represents a work-related psychological condition that arises from prolonged workplace stress consisting of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment (Van Dam, 2021). Numerous health organizations identify burnout as an occupational health issue that affects personnel in high-stress areas, particularly healthcare (Edú-Valsania et al., 2022). The World Health Organization (WHO), through its International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), classifies burnout as a work-related occupational phenomenon rather than a medical diagnosis, which can threaten employee wellness, business performance, and efficiency (Hualparuca-Olivera and Betalleluz Palomino, 2023). Burnout is a structural problem that impacts professionals' efficiency, workplace dynamics, and patient care standards (de Beer, 2021).

Healthcare professionals experience significant consequences due to burnout in their professional lives. Healthcare staff, including physicians, nurses, and pharmacists, are at increased risk because of demanding work environments characterized by long working hours, emotionally intensive patient interactions, administrative requirements, and rising performance expectations, which collectively contribute to mental exhaustion and stress (Eltorki et al., 2022; Sibeoni et al., 2021; Taranu et al., 2022). Prior research has demonstrated that healthcare burnout is associated with increased medical errors, reduced patient satisfaction, and higher staff turnover rates (Li et al., 2023; Owoc et al., 2021). Among pharmacists, burnout further compromises medication safety, leading to prescription errors, inappropriate dosing, and suboptimal patient counseling (Bradley et al., 2024; Patel and Andy, 2021).

Pharmacists encounter distinct occupational challenges that put them at high risk of experiencing burnout (Wash et al., 2024). Community pharmacists often operate independently, without the multidisciplinary support structures commonly available in hospital settings, while managing ongoing patient care and complex medication responsibilities (Bradley et al., 2024; Rushworth et al., 2024). In recent years, expanding professional roles including chronic disease management, immunization services, and public health engagement have further increased workload demands, heightening vulnerability to burnout when organizational support is insufficient (Gysel and Tsuyuki, 2024; Strand, 2025; Jarab et al., 2024). Recent studies show that pharmacist burnout ranges between 52% and 90%, with frontline community pharmacists being most affected because of limited organizational support (Borowitz et al., 2024; Martello et al., 2024). A recent systematic review further highlights that workplace stressors, evolving pharmacy roles, and inadequate organizational support are key workforce pressures that contribute directly to pharmacist burnout across diverse international settings. (Barakat et al., 2025).

The negative outcomes of pharmacist burnout extend beyond individual wellbeing to organizational performance. Burnout contributes to job dissatisfaction, absenteeism, and turnover, which in turn affect workforce stability and patient safety (Ivanova et al., 2024; Walker et al., 2025; Arefin and Global Health Institute Research Team, 2025; Grotowska et al., 2025). Pharmacists who work excessive hours or experience constant emotional strain are more likely to make medication errors and communicate less effectively with patients (Alhomoud and Alrasheedy, 2024).

In Saudi Arabia, healthcare employee burnout has gained increasing attention amid rapid health sector transformation under Vision 2030 (Alqarni et al., 2022; Siraj et al., 2023; Suleiman and Ming, 2025). While reforms aim to enhance service quality and access through public–private collaboration (Mani and Goniewicz, 2024), they have concurrently intensified workloads and administrative demands on healthcare professionals, including pharmacists (Al Khashan et al., 2021; Almogbel, 2021). The expansion of pharmaceutical services, increasing patient volumes, and growing expectations for pharmacists’ clinical involvement have collectively amplified occupational stress, contributing to rising burnout levels (Almogbel, 2021).

Within Saudi community pharmacy settings, excessive workload, extended shifts, and staff shortages remain persistent stressors (Alnezary et al., 2024; Alqassab et al., 2024; Bounthavong, 2024). Many pharmacists work prolonged hours, frequently as the sole practitioner, which limits recovery time and increases psychological strain. Burnout in this context is further exacerbated by emotionally demanding patient interactions involving complex health conditions, medication adverse effects, affordability concerns, and insurance-related disputes (Younes et al., 2024; Alemede et al., 2024; Alshorman et al., 2024).

Freudenberger initially described burnout in the 1970s, and Maslach and Jackson later refined it using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) (Franco-Paredes and Tuells, 2023; Avila et al., 2021). MBI serves as a widely implemented assessment tool to measure burnout through its three dimensions: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment (Schommer et al., 2022). This study was guided by the Job Demands-Resources Model, which proposes that high job demands (e.g., workload, extended hours) and limited resources (e.g., low pay, inadequate support) interact to produce burnout.

Burnout affects pharmacists not only at an individual level but also undermines the healthcare system. High burnout levels reduce patient trust, weaken service quality, and contribute to workforce instability, ultimately threatening healthcare sustainability (Santos et al., 2022; Dee et al., 2023; Agata et al., 2023; Sami et al., 2021). International evidence from North America, Europe, and the Middle East consistently reports burnout prevalence exceeding 50%, with community pharmacists experiencing the highest risk due to sustained workload and administrative burden (Schwerdtfeger et al., 2024).

During the COVID-19 pandemic, burnout among pharmacists reached 70%–80%, with elevated emotional exhaustion and depersonalization (Alhomoud and Alrasheedy, 2024; Bustamante Izquierdo et al., 2024; Mohammed et al., 2025; Kiriazopoulos et al., 2025). Regional studies from the Middle East, including studies from Lebanon, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi, similarly reported workload and work–life imbalance as dominant burnout drivers, underscoring shared structural stressors while highlighting the relevance of organizational support within regional contexts (Mohammed et al., 2025; Kiriazopoulos et al., 2025).

Several interventions, such as improved staffing, peer-support programs, and mindfulness-based approaches, have been suggested to mitigate burnout, yet their effectiveness within Saudi community settings remains underexplored (Forehand et al., 2022; Deniz and Eren, 2024; Barnett et al., 2022; Potter and Cadiz, 2021; Arhabal, 2024; Fendel et al., 2021; Alshammari et al., 2024). Despite the recognition of pharmacist burnout, few Saudi studies have quantitatively assessed its prevalence or explored its determinants at the regional level (Alwhaibi et al., 2022; Maslach et al., 1997).

Despite increasing recognition of pharmacist burnout in Saudi Arabia, no studies have quantified its prevalence or identified associated factors among community pharmacists in the Aseer region. This study addresses that gap by examining the prevalence and key risk factors of burnout among community pharmacists in Aseer, thereby contributing evidence to inform targeted wellbeing interventions and improve pharmaceutical care quality.

Community pharmacist burnout shows increasing concern due to high workloads, including job stress factors and emotional exhaustion (Cline and Mehta, 2022). The study analyzes burnout occurrence and risk elements among pharmacists in Saudi Arabia. Identifying these elements is essential to developing interventions to boost patient satisfaction and healthcare. This study revealed a notable presence of burnout among community pharmacists in the Aseer region, reflecting the growing strain associated with increased service demands and limited workforce support. The findings reaffirm that burnout among pharmacists is not only a workplace issue but also an emerging public health concern.

The studies conducted in different regions demonstrate that excessive workload and emotional exhaustion cause extensive burnout. In this study, excessive workload refers to prolonged working hours, high patient volume, and the accumulation of administrative and clinical responsibilities beyond reasonable capacity, while extensive or substantial burnout denotes persistently elevated levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization accompanied by reduced personal accomplishment. Pharmacists in Saudi Arabia share similar burnout experiences because of prolonged working hours, administrative responsibilities, and patient interactions (Almogbel, 2021). The study by Weichel et al. suggested that pharmacist burnout exists in multiple healthcare environments. However, it is more common in community pharmacies because patients and business requirements generate stressful conditions (Weichel et al., 2021). Community pharmacists in Saudi Arabia experience prolonged and demanding work, creating emotional exhaustion and depriving them of personalized connections with patients (Aldaiji et al., 2022). This observation is consistent with the present findings, where workload intensity and role pressure appeared to be among the most influential factors contributing to burnout. Societal norms within the Saudi context, including expectations of extended availability, limited flexibility in work schedules, and strong professional obligations toward patient service, may further intensify workload pressure and contribute to burnout. The results show that factors, including workforce shortages and societal norms, contribute to pharmacist burnout in Saudi Arabia.

Several studies reported that pharmacist burnout directly correlates with elevated medication errors, reduced patient care standards, and mental fatigue (Chong et al., 2022; Fadare et al.; Trinh et al., 2025). The current study’s findings agree with the results by illustrating that burnout negatively impacts pharmacist performance. According to the survey, workplace support is not sufficient to reduce burnout. However, Rogozinska suggested organizational support and workplace efforts as potential solutions to burnout. Burnout exists globally, and solutions must align with specific work environments and cultural norms in different regions (Rogozińska-Pawełczyk, 2024). The study also explored financial compensation as a key element for pharmacist burnout, and there have not been enough relevant studies in the past. A European study by Todorova et al. showed workload and job satisfaction were the main burnout factors, but financial encouragement remained unimportant in their analysis (Todorova et al., 2024). In contrast, the present findings emphasize financial stress as a stronger determinant within the Saudi context, where remuneration structures and job growth opportunities may not align with increasing professional responsibilities. Inadequate financial compensation emerged as a primary stressor for Saudi pharmacists due to workload and minimal salary growth opportunities, particularly in busy community pharmacies. The finding indicates that economic factors create substantial burnout when pharmacists receive wages below the evolving professional demands (Almogbel, 2021; Al-Jumaili et al., 2023). This observation aligns with global evidence demonstrating that inadequate earnings, limited employment benefits, and ongoing financial pressures significantly contribute to pharmacist burnout and workforce instability. (Barakat et al., 2025).

Numerous studies suggest that the COVID-19 era has worsened the workload and stress among pharmacists worldwide. The pandemic caused pharmacists to experience greater work demands (Bhamra et al., 2021; Hedima et al., 2022; Mohammad et al., 2022). According to the findings, there were increased COVID-19 cases but fewer pharmaceutical resources, along with heightened dangerous health conditions. Saudi pharmacists received minimal support from their institutions, which increased their stress levels (Aljadeed et al., 2021). Research findings show that burnout among Saudi healthcare personnel has reached significant levels during COVID-19, reaching an estimated rate of 75% among professionals (Alanazi et al., 2021; Aljuffali et al., 2022). Pharmacists experience exceptionally severe burnout levels because of extended work shifts, insufficient staffing, and mounting pressure from patients (Johnston et al., 2023). Community pharmacists face extensive psychological fatigue and detachment from their patients due to long working hours and numerous patient interactions (Alhomoud and Alrasheedy, 2024). Survey results using the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory revealed that more than 80% of Saudi community pharmacists documented personal and work-related burnout (Alhomoud and Alrasheedy, 2024; Youssef et al., 2022). The persistence of similar burnout patterns in this post-pandemic period suggests that systemic workforce challenges, rather than pandemic-specific pressures alone, continue to drive stress and exhaustion among community pharmacists. The present study did not specifically stratify participants based on employment timing relative to the COVID-19 pandemic; however, the persistence of similar burnout patterns in this post-pandemic period suggests that ongoing structural and workforce challenges, rather than pandemic-related factors alone, continue to drive pharmacist stress and exhaustion.

Furthermore, the present study makes a distinctive contribution to burnout findings by highlighting how local workplace environments impact pharmacist stress levels in Saudi Arabia. The conclusions of this study differ from those of Western countries in that Saudi pharmacists encounter substantial barriers to mental health assistance. Working environments in Saudi Arabia lack mental health programs, with minimal advancement opportunities and traditional expectations, generating unique challenges regarding burnout. This interpretation aligns with the Job Demands–Resources (JD-R) framework, which explains how high work demands combined with limited institutional support and recognition can progressively lead to emotional exhaustion and reduced professional accomplishment. By situating these findings within Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 transformation, this study highlights how the rapid expansion of private community pharmacy services has increased attention toward workforce wellbeing, resilience, and equitable professional development.

The findings reinforce that burnout among community pharmacists in Saudi Arabia is influenced by a combination of occupational demands and contextual factors, emphasizing the importance of continued attention to pharmacist wellbeing within the evolving healthcare landscape.

The strength of this study lies in its focus on community pharmacists within the Aseer region of Saudi Arabia, which provides important regional evidence on burnout in a group that has received limited attention in previous research. The study design allowed for the inclusion of participants from different demographic categories and workplace settings, enabling a clearer understanding of how factors such as gender, work experience, and pharmacy type relate to burnout dimensions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to specifically assess burnout and its associated risk factors among community pharmacists in the Aseer region, contributing valuable local data to the growing national and global discussion on pharmacist wellbeing.

However, the study also has several limitations. It relies on self-reported data, which may introduce recall or social desirability bias and influence the accuracy of participants’ responses. Another limitation is the cross-sectional design, which cannot determine causal relationships between the identified variables. Thus, we cannot conclude whether workplace stressors lead to burnout or whether existing burnout intensifies perceptions of workload and dissatisfaction. This question remains open and highlights the need for longitudinal and interventional studies to further explore these associations within the Saudi pharmacy context. In addition, although participants represented a range of age groups, older pharmacists were underrepresented, which may limit the ability to explore potential generational differences in burnout perceptions and experiences. Future studies employing age-stratified sampling may provide deeper insight into how burnout varies across different career stages. The achieved sample size, while sufficient for detecting moderate associations, did not reach the initially calculated target, which may have reduced the precision of some estimates. Finally, since the study included only community pharmacists, the findings may not be generalizable to other pharmacy sectors, such as hospital or academic settings.

The study indicates that burnout is highly prevalent among community pharmacists practicing in the Aseer region of Saudi Arabia, with a substantial proportion of participants demonstrating moderate-to-high burnout across emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment domains, primarily due to heavy workloads, longer working hours, insufficient financial rewards, and hindered career pathways. Cultural and organizational factors, along with inadequate institutional support, are emphasized as key contributors to burnout. These findings highlight the need for focused workplace strategies that promote balanced workloads, adequate compensation, and mental health support. Future research should prioritize longitudinal designs to clarify causal relationships, evaluate the effectiveness of workplace and policy-level interventions, and assess the impact of organizational reforms on burnout trajectories over time. In addition, intervention-based studies examining staffing models, workload redistribution, and structured mental health programs are warranted to prevent pharmacist burnout and enhance job satisfaction, resulting in high-quality healthcare services and better patient outcomes. There remains a need to examine how organizational initiatives and policy-level strategies can mitigate burnout and strengthen pharmacist wellbeing across different regions of Saudi Arabia. Expanding this work to include other pharmacy sectors and geographical areas would also allow broader generalization and greater relevance for national workforce planning.