Amplifying Technicians: Occupational Fatigue

In episode 8 of Amplifying Technicians, host Taylor Watterson, PharmD, PhD, assistant professor at the University of Illinois Chicago Retzky College of Pharmacy, steps away from the traditional interview format to reintroduce herself and the deeply personal mission driving her research.

Driven by past experiences of overwhelming occupational fatigue—vividly recalled as “sobbing in the parking lot” before shifts—she has dedicated nearly a decade to examining the human factors that impact those on the front lines of pharmacy practice, as well as health care as a whole.

Pharmacy technicians are among the most crucial and accessible health care professionals in our communities, yet their powerful role often comes with unique systemic challenges. Watterson highlights that technicians are the heartbeat of the pharmacy, balancing immense work demands, such as filling hundreds of prescriptions daily, against their own physical and mental capacity.

Drawing from the Systems-based Collaborative Research for PatienT Safety (SCRPTS) Lab at the University of Illinois Chicago Retzky College of Pharmacy’s recent study, she explores how the “quadruple aim” of health care cannot be achieved without first prioritizing the well-being of the provider.

In a shift from previous episodes, Watterson provides a deep dive into the biological signals of fatigue and its environmental factor—from team cohesion to workspace design—that either mitigate or exacerbate impacts on pharmacy technicians. This episode serves as a powerful reminder that amplifying technicians means more than just recognition; it requires giving them a seat at the table to drive the systemic changes necessary for both provider health and patient safety.

Be sure to tune in each month on Drug Topics for conversations that highlight the impact of pharmacy technicians and the many ways they are advancing the profession. All episodes of Amplifying Technicians will be available in video format via DrugTopics.com on the last Tuesday of each month. Check out our previous episode: Amplifying Technicians: Emily Hoffins, MS, PhD.

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