Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Department of Health Management, School of Health, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
2 Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
3 Department of Operating Room, School of Paramedicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
4 Health Policy Research Center, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
Abstract
Background: The key challenge is how to encourage and retain health professionals in their work location. There is a list of policy options for this purpose but applying an appropriate and effective set of strategies requires a country level research. Our study aimed to identify retention strategies for neurosurgeons and examine both the importance and feasibility of the identified strategies using expert panels’ point of view.
Methods: First of all, a literature review was conducted to identify retention strategies for physicians. Then to gain consensus on the strategies and determine their importance and feasibility an expert panel was organized and a modified Delphi process was used.
Results: A total of 40 strategies were identified by the panel classified in seven categories of income and economic factors, professional/job factors, clinical infrastructure, personal/family factors, living condition and welfare, educational factors and career development, governmental regulations and management policies.
Conclusion: Based on the study results, three areas of economic incentives, personal and professional factors got the greatest priority in health professional planning for retention purposes.
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