"Trust, Responsibility, and Making a Difference": Qualitative Insights into Why First-Line Managers in Healthcare...

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Organizational Behavior
• Leadership Studies

Background:

• First-line managers are vital for healthcare operational stability and patient care.
• High turnover rates (approx. 50% leave within 5 years) necessitate understanding retention factors.
• Current knowledge on first-line manager work conditions requires updating.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore first-line managers' perceptions of factors influencing their decision to remain in their role.
• To identify key elements that foster motivation and commitment among healthcare managers.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative descriptive design utilizing 20 semi-structured interviews.
• Data collected from first-line managers in a Swedish medium-sized healthcare organization (March-June 2022).
• Analysis conducted using qualitative content analysis.

Main Results:

• An overarching theme emerged: "Empowered through support, responsibility, and meaningful contribution."
• Managers' confidence in leading and creating change is key, built on support, responsibility, and role clarity.
• Trust, autonomy, colleague support, balanced workloads, and meaningful impact enhance motivation and commitment.

Conclusions:

• Healthcare organizations can improve first-line manager retention by fostering support, responsibility, and opportunities for meaningful contribution.
• Addressing managers' needs for autonomy, trust, and impact is essential for sustainable leadership.
• Investing in these areas promotes long-term engagement and organizational stability.