The Prevalence and Factors Associated with Workforce Attrition and Intention‐to‐Leave Among Healthcare Workers in New Zealand: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta‐Analysis
Year: 2026
Type: review
Study designs: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis
Abstract: Despite increasing concern about the stability of New Zealand's (NZ) health workforce, no prior synthesis has estimated the prevalence of attrition or intention-to-leave. This systematic review and meta-analysis included 32 studies and followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology checklist guidelines to estimate these rates and identify associated factors. Attrition was highest among midwives (26.0%, 95% CI: 17.0%-36.0%), doctors (26.0%, 95% CI: 24.0%-27.0%), and those without postgraduate qualifications (29.0%, 95% CI: 26.0%-32.0%). Intention-to-leave was most prevalent among midwives (54.0%, 95% CI: 42.0%-66.0%) and in studies conducted between 2000 and 2010 (33.0%, 95% CI: 20.0%-47.0%). These findings highlight substantial workforce instability, with clear variation by profession, time period, and educational level, underscoring the need for targeted retention strategies to support the sustainability of NZ's healthcare system.
DOI: 10.1002/snz2.70025
Institution: Auckland University of Technology
Language: English
Subfield: Emergency Medical Services
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7130422283