Factors Influencing Motivation and Work Engagement of Healthcare Professionals

Low level of health professionals' work motivation is a critical challenge for countries' health care system. A survey of ministries of health in many countries showed that low motivation was seen as the second most important health workforce problem after staff shortages.

The aim of the study was to examine in detail the factors which can affect motivation and work engagement, to assess the motivation levels of personnel working in public hospitals and to identify any differences between the various categories of healthcare professionals employed at the 1st Regional Health Authority of Attica.

Frederick Herzberg's motivation-hygiene theory was used as the theoretical framework. Twelve phrases were used that correspond to intrinsic and extrinsic motivating factors, namely achievement, recognition, nature of work, responsibility, advancement, growth, organizational policies, supervision, interpersonal relationships, working conditions, salary and job security. Phrases 1-6 covered the internal motivators and 7-12 correspond to the external. Additional questions were added covering the socio-demographic characteristics of respondents.

The response rate was 81.95% and 3,278 questionnaires were collected. Findings suggest that extrinsic motivation factors have slightly higher mean scores (MS=8.30) than intrinsic motivation factors (7.81). The role of factors like salary (9.31), organizational policies (8.91), growth (8.89) and job security (8.86) was significant. However, every category of hospital staff is affected in a different way and degree by each factor. In periods of crisis, the need of extrinsic factors of motivation increased.

Providing a motivating environment for employees becomes more fundamental in the healthcare system. Motivation of healthcare employees was affected by factors related to supervision, financial benefits, job training and growth. Efforts should be made to provide such benefits to health employees as appropriate especially, to those who did not get any such benefits. Officially recognizing best performance is suggested.