The retention of health human resources in primary healthcare centers in Lebanon

Background Critical shortages of health human resources (HHR), associated with high turnover rates, have been a concern in many countries around the globe. Of particular interest is the effect of such a trend on the primary healthcare (PHC) sector; considered a cornerstone in any effective healthcar...

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Main Author: Dimassi, Hani (author)
Other Authors: Alameddine, Mohamad (author), Saleh, Shadi (author), El-Jardali, Fadi (author), Mourad, Yara. (author)
Format: article
Published: 2012
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/10725/2239
http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1472-6963-12-41
http://bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1472-6963-12-419
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author Dimassi, Hani
author2 Alameddine, Mohamad
Saleh, Shadi
El-Jardali, Fadi
Mourad, Yara.
author2_role author
author
author
author
author_facet Dimassi, Hani
Alameddine, Mohamad
Saleh, Shadi
El-Jardali, Fadi
Mourad, Yara.
author_role author
dc.creator.none.fl_str_mv Dimassi, Hani
Alameddine, Mohamad
Saleh, Shadi
El-Jardali, Fadi
Mourad, Yara.
dc.date.none.fl_str_mv 2012
2015-10-02T07:03:53Z
2015-10-02T07:03:53Z
2015-10-02
dc.identifier.none.fl_str_mv 1472-6963
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/2239
http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1472-6963-12-41
Alameddine, M., Saleh, S., El-Jardali, F., Dimassi, H., & Mourad, Y. (2012). The retention of health human resources in primary healthcare centers in Lebanon: a national survey. BMC health services research, 12(1), 419.
http://bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1472-6963-12-419
dc.language.none.fl_str_mv en
dc.relation.none.fl_str_mv BMC health services research
dc.rights.*.fl_str_mv info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.title.none.fl_str_mv The retention of health human resources in primary healthcare centers in Lebanon
A national survey
dc.type.none.fl_str_mv Article
info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
info:eu-repo/semantics/article
description Background Critical shortages of health human resources (HHR), associated with high turnover rates, have been a concern in many countries around the globe. Of particular interest is the effect of such a trend on the primary healthcare (PHC) sector; considered a cornerstone in any effective healthcare system. This study is a rare attempt to investigate PHC HHR work characteristics, level of burnout and likelihood to quit as well as the factors significantly associated with staff retention at PHC centers in Lebanon. Methods A cross-sectional design was utilized to survey all health providers at 81 PHC centers dispersed in all districts of Lebanon. The questionnaire consisted of four sections: socio-demographic/ professional background, organizational/institutional characteristics, likelihood to quit and level of professional burnout (using the Maslach-Burnout Inventory). A total of 755 providers completed the questionnaire (60.5% response rate). Bivariate analyses and multinomial logistic regression were used to determine factors associated with likelihood to quit. Results Two out of five respondents indicated likelihood to quit their jobs within the next 1–3 years and an additional 13.4% were not sure about quitting. The top three reasons behind likelihood to quit were poor salary (54.4%), better job opportunities outside the country (35.1%) and lack of professional development (33.7%). A U-shaped relationship was observed between age and likelihood to quit. Regression analysis revealed that high levels of burnout, lower level of education and low tenure were all associated with increased likelihood to quit. Conclusions The study findings reflect an unstable workforce and are not conducive to supporting an expanded role for PHC in the Lebanese healthcare system. While strategies aiming at improving staff retention would be important to develop and implement for all PHC HHR; targeted retention initiatives should focus on the young-new recruits and allied health professionals. Particular attention should be dedicated to enhancing providers’ role satisfaction and sense of job security. Such initiatives are of pivotal importance to stabilize the workforce and ensure its longevity.
eu_rights_str_mv openAccess
format article
id LAURepo_c73d28f9b6a3b90e7ccd7281efa4488a
identifier_str_mv 1472-6963
Alameddine, M., Saleh, S., El-Jardali, F., Dimassi, H., & Mourad, Y. (2012). The retention of health human resources in primary healthcare centers in Lebanon: a national survey. BMC health services research, 12(1), 419.
language_invalid_str_mv en
network_acronym_str LAURepo
network_name_str Lebanese American University repository
oai_identifier_str oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/2239
publishDate 2012
repository.mail.fl_str_mv
repository.name.fl_str_mv
repository_id_str
spelling The retention of health human resources in primary healthcare centers in LebanonA national surveyDimassi, HaniAlameddine, MohamadSaleh, ShadiEl-Jardali, FadiMourad, Yara.Background Critical shortages of health human resources (HHR), associated with high turnover rates, have been a concern in many countries around the globe. Of particular interest is the effect of such a trend on the primary healthcare (PHC) sector; considered a cornerstone in any effective healthcare system. This study is a rare attempt to investigate PHC HHR work characteristics, level of burnout and likelihood to quit as well as the factors significantly associated with staff retention at PHC centers in Lebanon. Methods A cross-sectional design was utilized to survey all health providers at 81 PHC centers dispersed in all districts of Lebanon. The questionnaire consisted of four sections: socio-demographic/ professional background, organizational/institutional characteristics, likelihood to quit and level of professional burnout (using the Maslach-Burnout Inventory). A total of 755 providers completed the questionnaire (60.5% response rate). Bivariate analyses and multinomial logistic regression were used to determine factors associated with likelihood to quit. Results Two out of five respondents indicated likelihood to quit their jobs within the next 1–3 years and an additional 13.4% were not sure about quitting. The top three reasons behind likelihood to quit were poor salary (54.4%), better job opportunities outside the country (35.1%) and lack of professional development (33.7%). A U-shaped relationship was observed between age and likelihood to quit. Regression analysis revealed that high levels of burnout, lower level of education and low tenure were all associated with increased likelihood to quit. Conclusions The study findings reflect an unstable workforce and are not conducive to supporting an expanded role for PHC in the Lebanese healthcare system. While strategies aiming at improving staff retention would be important to develop and implement for all PHC HHR; targeted retention initiatives should focus on the young-new recruits and allied health professionals. Particular attention should be dedicated to enhancing providers’ role satisfaction and sense of job security. Such initiatives are of pivotal importance to stabilize the workforce and ensure its longevity.PublishedN/A2015-10-02T07:03:53Z2015-10-02T07:03:53Z20122015-10-02Articleinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersioninfo:eu-repo/semantics/article1472-6963http://hdl.handle.net/10725/2239http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1472-6963-12-41Alameddine, M., Saleh, S., El-Jardali, F., Dimassi, H., & Mourad, Y. (2012). The retention of health human resources in primary healthcare centers in Lebanon: a national survey. BMC health services research, 12(1), 419.http://bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1472-6963-12-419enBMC health services researchinfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessoai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/22392017-03-01T12:48:49Z
spellingShingle The retention of health human resources in primary healthcare centers in Lebanon
Dimassi, Hani
status_str publishedVersion
title The retention of health human resources in primary healthcare centers in Lebanon
title_full The retention of health human resources in primary healthcare centers in Lebanon
title_fullStr The retention of health human resources in primary healthcare centers in Lebanon
title_full_unstemmed The retention of health human resources in primary healthcare centers in Lebanon
title_short The retention of health human resources in primary healthcare centers in Lebanon
title_sort The retention of health human resources in primary healthcare centers in Lebanon
url http://hdl.handle.net/10725/2239
http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1472-6963-12-41
http://bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1472-6963-12-419