Rural health care workforce retention measures: A rapid scoping review

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Rural Health
• Healthcare Workforce Studies

Background:

• Rural Veterans face significant healthcare access barriers, often worsened by workforce shortages.
• Retaining healthcare providers in rural areas is crucial for consistent and accessible patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine definitions and measurement of "rural workforce retention" in peer-reviewed literature.
• To synthesize recommended reporting elements for improved clarity and comparability in retention research.

Main Methods:

• Conducted a rapid scoping review of six bibliographic databases (2014-2025).
• Included English-language studies on rural healthcare in the US, Canada, UK, and Australia.
• Extracted data on retention definitions, time frames, and measurement approaches.

Main Results:

• A significant portion (64%) of included studies lacked a clear definition of retention.
• Retention was measured variably, including intentions to stay, turnover, or continued practice.
• Heterogeneity in definitions and methods necessitates standardized reporting.

Conclusions:

• Inconsistent reporting of rural workforce retention metrics impedes strategy evaluation and scalability.
• Explicit definitions, measurable time frames, and clear methodological reporting are essential for comparable research.
• Standardized retention metrics are vital for the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and other rural systems to ensure workforce stability and care access.