Table 2 Descriptive statistics of questions, ceiling effect, floor effect (n = 399)

1. I cannot have prospects of patient care as a pharmacist

2. I cannot give satisfactory care to patients

3. I cannot have contact with or talk to patients at leisure

*

4. My superiors do not understand my feelings*2

5. My superiors have views different from mine

6. There is too much to do other than pharmacist’s work, such as office work

7. I cannot secure enough time to rest

8. I cannot agree with the physicians’ policies or thoughts

*

9. I have to give care to patients who refuse me*2

10. The poor hygienic environment of the homes I visit makes me feel disagreeable

11. I cannot intervene in home care as I wish to and exercise my professional skill

*

12. The relations among workers of different professions are poor*2

13. I cannot give support to suffering patients or families

14. I have to see patients unable to have prospects for their future

15. Patients shout at or talk abusively to me

16. My superiors do not trust me

17. I have no one at my workplace to confide in or consult with

18. I do not have enough time to give satisfactory care

19. I have difficulty in arranging time for home visits

21. I am not sure about what explanation patients and families are given by the physicians about the treatment and prognosis

22. Care that I gave for the good of patients and families is misunderstood by them

*

23. I have trouble with parking spaces and traffic jams when I visit homes by car*1

24. I am paid inadequately for my drug dispensation workload

25. The work of pharmacists is not understood by other professions

26. I am helpless in the care of terminal patients

27. I am not sure how I should deal with patients not informed of their prognoses

28. Patients order me to do things

29. My superiors respond slowly

*

30. There are staff members whom I would not like to work with*3

31. I am required to respond immediately in emergencies

32. Physicians respond slowly

33.I must give care to patients who change their language and attitude according to the profession of the healthcare worker

34. I am not trusted by patients and families

35. The employer’s policy prevents me from doing what I want to do for patients

36. Preparation of papers such as reports complicates my job

37. The services that I can provide with my skills or by my pharmacy are deficient

38. I cannot adequately handle patients’ and families’ anxiety and wishes

39. Death of patients I am in charge of or I have made friends with

40. Patients commit harassing and malicious behavior

41. My colleagues and workers of other professions do not help me when I am in trouble

42. Manpower is deficient

44. I have to handle unexpected jobs

45. My work is not understood by physicians

46. I have to take care of patients who change their language and attitude according to the pharmacist providing service

47. My sincere care is not understood by patients and families

48. I am urged by the management to improve work efficiency

49. I feel burdened by the heavy liaison work with other profession

*

50. I feel my lack of knowledge when I work with other professions*3

51. I am helpless about the exacerbation of patients’ symptoms

*

52. I see patients treating their families harshly or the other way around*2

53. My superiors do not support me when I am in trouble

54. I have to work with uncooperative staff members

55. I have to work under time pressure

56. I have to deal with patients outside duty hours

57. I have to work with uncooperative physicians

58. I have to give care to patients difficult to have communication with

60. I feel burdened by having to visit homes alone (e.g., carrying a heavy baggage, fear of entering the house of a man living alone)

61. I cannot give care to all patients equally when I have to take care of many home visits

*

62. It is difficult to smoothly share information with workers of other professions*1