Thriving Through Calamity: Healthcare Worker Commitment During a Public Health Crisis

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Organizational Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• The 2021 "great resignation" exacerbated healthcare industry staffing shortages.
• Reasons for healthcare staff retention during widespread departures were unclear.
• Understanding factors influencing commitment is crucial for workforce stability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a theory explaining why hospital staff remained employed during a protracted public health crisis.
• To identify key drivers of commitment to staying in healthcare roles under duress.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative Grounded Theory approach.
• Conducted open-ended interviews with 16 healthcare workers.
• Developed an emerging model of commitment during crisis.

Main Results:

• A "Commit to Stay" model was generated.
• Four major influences identified: personal agency, organizational support, workplace social connections, and external influences.
• These factors collectively explain staff retention during crises.

Conclusions:

• The "Commit to Stay" model offers insights for healthcare leaders.
• Provides a framework for supporting staff who choose to remain in healthcare during intense crises.
• Aids in addressing healthcare workforce retention challenges.