Understanding turnover in healthcare and welfare sectors of high-income countries: an umbrella review

Abstract Background This umbrella review aims to systematically synthesize the current evidence on the factors associated with personnel turnover in the healthcare and welfare sectors, the methodologies used to measure turnover, and the effectiveness of interventions designed to reduce turnover. Met...

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Main Authors: Herlinde Wynendaele, Els Clays, Ellen Peeters, Yannai DeJonghe, Ann Van Hecke, Jeroen Trybou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-06-01
Series:BMC Health Services Research
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-12966-5
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author Herlinde Wynendaele
Els Clays
Ellen Peeters
Yannai DeJonghe
Ann Van Hecke
Jeroen Trybou
author_facet Herlinde Wynendaele
Els Clays
Ellen Peeters
Yannai DeJonghe
Ann Van Hecke
Jeroen Trybou
author_sort Herlinde Wynendaele
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background This umbrella review aims to systematically synthesize the current evidence on the factors associated with personnel turnover in the healthcare and welfare sectors, the methodologies used to measure turnover, and the effectiveness of interventions designed to reduce turnover. Methods Following PRISMA-P guidelines, we analyzed data from January 2013 to July 2023 across multiple databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Embase. Two reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts for predefined eligibility criteria. They also collaboratively examined 10% of the full texts to ensure compliance with these criteria. Study quality was evaluated using AMSTAR 2, and a Corrected Covered Area analysis was conducted. Results The analysis included 37 studies with a total of 511 primary studies. Turnover factors were grouped into three categories: socio-demographics and health status, work environment characteristics, and personal attitude and functioning, highlighting a wide range of factors that influence both turnover intention and actual turnover. Various measurement methodologies were identified, with a notable lack of standardization. Interventions targeting work-related factors showed mixed effectiveness, underscoring the importance of context-specific strategies. Conclusions The findings show the complexity and context-specific nature of turnover in healthcare and welfare sectors, requiring targeted, context-specific interventions to address the diverse factors involved. Standardization of measurement methodologies is necessary for comparing turnover rates and the effectiveness of interventions. Future research should focus on filling existing gaps, particularly in non-hospital settings, and on developing and evaluating multifaceted interventions.
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spelling doaj-art-11db51d5dadb4a61a9f8ea08fa9475b52025-08-20T02:05:47ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632025-06-0125112210.1186/s12913-025-12966-5Understanding turnover in healthcare and welfare sectors of high-income countries: an umbrella reviewHerlinde Wynendaele0Els Clays1Ellen Peeters2Yannai DeJonghe3Ann Van Hecke4Jeroen Trybou5Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent UniversityDepartment of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent UniversityTIAS School for Business and SocietyDepartment of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent UniversityDepartment of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent UniversityDepartment of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent UniversityAbstract Background This umbrella review aims to systematically synthesize the current evidence on the factors associated with personnel turnover in the healthcare and welfare sectors, the methodologies used to measure turnover, and the effectiveness of interventions designed to reduce turnover. Methods Following PRISMA-P guidelines, we analyzed data from January 2013 to July 2023 across multiple databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Embase. Two reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts for predefined eligibility criteria. They also collaboratively examined 10% of the full texts to ensure compliance with these criteria. Study quality was evaluated using AMSTAR 2, and a Corrected Covered Area analysis was conducted. Results The analysis included 37 studies with a total of 511 primary studies. Turnover factors were grouped into three categories: socio-demographics and health status, work environment characteristics, and personal attitude and functioning, highlighting a wide range of factors that influence both turnover intention and actual turnover. Various measurement methodologies were identified, with a notable lack of standardization. Interventions targeting work-related factors showed mixed effectiveness, underscoring the importance of context-specific strategies. Conclusions The findings show the complexity and context-specific nature of turnover in healthcare and welfare sectors, requiring targeted, context-specific interventions to address the diverse factors involved. Standardization of measurement methodologies is necessary for comparing turnover rates and the effectiveness of interventions. Future research should focus on filling existing gaps, particularly in non-hospital settings, and on developing and evaluating multifaceted interventions.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-12966-5Healthcare workforceWelfare sectorTurnover intentionActual turnoverFactorsSystematic umbrella review
spellingShingle Herlinde Wynendaele
Els Clays
Ellen Peeters
Yannai DeJonghe
Ann Van Hecke
Jeroen Trybou
Understanding turnover in healthcare and welfare sectors of high-income countries: an umbrella review
BMC Health Services Research
Healthcare workforce
Welfare sector
Turnover intention
Actual turnover
Factors
Systematic umbrella review
title Understanding turnover in healthcare and welfare sectors of high-income countries: an umbrella review
title_full Understanding turnover in healthcare and welfare sectors of high-income countries: an umbrella review
title_fullStr Understanding turnover in healthcare and welfare sectors of high-income countries: an umbrella review
title_full_unstemmed Understanding turnover in healthcare and welfare sectors of high-income countries: an umbrella review
title_short Understanding turnover in healthcare and welfare sectors of high-income countries: an umbrella review
title_sort understanding turnover in healthcare and welfare sectors of high income countries an umbrella review
topic Healthcare workforce
Welfare sector
Turnover intention
Actual turnover
Factors
Systematic umbrella review
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-12966-5
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