Effective strategies for job retention in hospitals: insights from the EU METEOR project's online toolbox

The European healthcare sector is currently facing a critical workforce retention crisis, characterized by a significant shortage of qualified medical personnel across hospitals in European Union countries. Recent data indicate a high and increasing intention among physicians and nurses to leave their positions, due to factors such as burnout, lack of support, and challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The project Mental Health: Focus on Retention of Healthcare Workers (METEOR), funded by the European Commission, aimed to improve job retention in hospital settings across Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, and Poland. A key part of the project involved developing new technological innovations to support workforce retention, such as the METEOR toolbox. This paper aims to share insights from the co-creation of the METEOR toolbox and the solutions devised during this process.

The METEOR toolbox was developed between 2021 and 2024 using the Double Diamond Method, a structured iterative approach, widely applied in healthcare innovations. Simultaneously, a mixed-methods approach was incorporated throughout the iterations, primarily by using techniques such as literature reviews, in-depth interviews, and expert consultations to recognize the expectations and needs of target stakeholders (physicians, nurses and policymakers).

The final version of the METEOR toolbox is available as an open-access resource at: https://meteor-toolbox.sum.edu.pl/ . It provides a structured, evidence-based approach that guides users through the process of assessing the scale of staff turnover, diagnosing its root causes-such as stress, burnout, or organizational culture-and selecting appropriate interventions. These interventions range from workload adjustments and mental health support to mentoring and career development strategies. The toolbox also includes a practical implementation roadmap, helping organizations move from analysis to action and continuously monitor outcomes.

The METEOR toolbox represents an innovative public health resource, developed to help healthcare organizations understand and address workforce retention challenges, with a particular focus on mental health and well-being. Future efforts will focus on promoting the toolbox through professional networks, academic conferences, scientific and social media articles, and collaboration with healthcare organizations.