Turnover Intention determinants of EU hospital doctors and nurses: results from the METEOR survey

BACKGROUND: To contrast effectively the shortage of healthcare workers in the EU, it is essential to find the determinants of the intention to leave the hospital (ITL) by analyzing the role of burnout (BO), job satisfaction (JS), and other individual characteristics and working-related variables. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of ITL for physicians and nurses in Europe, to investigate the determinants of ITL, and to suggest possible job retention policies. METHODS: The METEOR survey is a cross-sectional study on 8 hospitals of Belgium, The Netherlands, Italy, and Poland. Data collection was from May to September 2022. The theoretical model was the Job demands-resources model and validated questionnaires were used. ITL was assessed as agreement with the sentence “I intend to leave my current hospital for another one in the near future” and the response items were scored on a 5-point Likert scale. Two multivariable logistic models for ITL were estimated for both physicians and nurses, including JS, BO, and workers’ individual and hospital characteristics as covariates. RESULTS: The study included 381 physicians, and 1351 nurses. Physicians and nurses who agreed with ITL were 17% and 9%, respectively. Logistic models for physicians showed that by increasing JS (OR = 0.31, p < 0.001) as well as age (OR = 0.91, p < 0.001), and living with partner (vs alone) (OR = 0.56, p < 0.039), the odds of ITL decreased. For nurses, the model revealed that by increasing JS (OR = 0.27, p < 0.001), as well as age (OR = 0.97, p < 0.001), and equipment (OR = 0.56, p < 0.039), the odds of ITL decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Our survey showed high prevalence of ITL for both nurses and physicians. Recruitment and retention policies, at the micro/meso/macro-levels are needed. It is strategic to support healthcare workers’ categories at higher risk of ITL, such as the younger physicians and nurses. KEY MESSAGES: • Our survey found significant individual and work environment characteristics playing a role to explain ITL. • We provide an estimate of ITL prevalence of hospital physicians and nurses in EU.