Motivating medicine: why money is not enough

The public health system in Australia currently faces unprecedented challenges managing an ageing population with a rising burden of illness. Health professionals employed in the area are under constant pressure to do more with less, leading to high levels of employee dissatisfaction. Physician satisfaction is a critical aspect of quality health care, allowing the development of a motivated workforce committed to improving patient outcomes. Herzberg has identified several factors that contribute to employee motivation, including financial remuneration, work-life balance and the recognition and reward of good performance. Some strategies are more effective than others; here we discuss their relative advantages, the role of financial rewards, and propose other interventions to 'switch on' motivation.