Effects of intolerance of uncertainty on turnover intention in transplantation coordinators: the roles of burnout and grit

BACKGROUND: Transplantation coordinators are essential professionals who play a wide range of roles in organ transplantation. Their burnout levels have been shown to be very high due to the significant uncertainty they experience at work. The taxing conditions that accompany their position can increase turnover, which can, in turn, lead to a decrease in the number of experts working in the field. This calls for an improved understanding of their turnover intentions. METHODS: We collected data of 80 transplantation coordinators and measured their intolerance of uncertainty, burnout, turnover intention, and grit. The data were analyzed using a multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: A mediation model was confirmed in which intolerance of uncertainty significantly increases burnout, which, in turn, increases turnover intention. The moderating effects of grit on the relationship between intolerance of uncertainty and turnover intentions were also found to be significant. When grit was low, overall turnover intention was high, regardless of intolerance of uncertainty. Conversely, when grit was high, the intention to leave was high only when the intolerance of uncertainty was also high. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high level of uncertainty among transplantation coordinators due to the nature of the work; however, the degree to which the uncertainty is accepted varies individually. It is therefore necessary to seek ways to manage the uncertainty at an organizational and personal level. These efforts could contribute to improving transplantation coordinators’ long-term service and expertise.