Turnover and Intention to Leave Among Belgian Healthcare Workers After COVID ‐19: A Two‐Year Longitudinal Cohort Study
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: AIM: To investigate the association between healthcare workers' demographic and work-environment variables during the COVID-19 pandemic and their turnover intentions or actual turnover after two years. DESIGN: Two-step longitudinal cohort study. METHODS: A nationwide longitudinal cohort study was conducted using a convenience sample of Belgian HCWs who participated in online surveys at two time points: November 24th, 2021, to March 15th, 2022 (Period 1), and November 16th, 2023, to December 12th, 2023 (Period 2). RESULTS: Out of 2149 participants in the first survey, 700 responded in the second. During the pandemic, 31.3% intended to leave the profession. In Period 2, 52.3% of those reaffirmed their intention or had left (6.5%). Work autonomy, resilience, and perceived patient harm predicted turnover intention. Pandemic-related work pressure was the primary reason for leaving. CONCLUSION: Promoting healthcare workers' autonomy and resilience is crucial for mitigating turnover. HCWs who experience patient harm during a pandemic will have a higher risk for turnover. Knowing this, healthcare managers and policymakers should develop strategies to prepare for future health crises. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND PATIENT CARE: Enhancing work autonomy and resilience among healthcare workers can improve retention and job satisfaction, ultimately leading to better patient care and a more stable healthcare workforce. IMPACT: Problem Addressed: The study addresses the high turnover intentions among healthcare workers during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. MAIN FINDINGS: Work autonomy, resilience, and perceived patient harm due to workload are significant predictors of turnover intentions. IMPACT: The research impacts healthcare managers and policymakers by providing insights into factors that can improve healthcare workers' retention and job satisfaction. REPORTING METHOD: This study adhered to the STROBE guidelines for reporting observational studies. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution.
Source: Journal of Advanced Nursing
DOI: 10.1111/jan.16925
Institution: University of Antwerp
Language: English
Subfield: General Health Professions
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4408884360