Studies from Uganda Highlight Factors in Retaining Health Workers

Two journals recently published studies conducted by the IntraHealth International-led Capacity Project, the predecessor to CapacityPlus. The studies examine key factors in remedying Uganda’s severe shortage of health workers. Both articles were coauthored by Pamela A. McQuide, who is currently IntraHealth’s deputy director of the Capacity Kenya project.

The December issue of International Nursing Review includes the article “Strengthening the Uganda nurses’ and midwives’ association for a motivated workforce,” which presents results from a survey of nurses that was designed to develop policy recommendations for strengthening the association and improving nurse retention. The study concludes that in order to improve motivation and quality of care, investments should be channeled through professional associations that can provide tangible support for nurses such as professional development, mentoring, and networking.

Forthcoming in The International Journal of Health Planning and Management is a study on job satisfaction and career plans of Ugandan physicians. The study, “Satisfaction, motivation, and intent to stay among Ugandan physicians: a survey from 18 national hospitals,” found that nearly half of the doctors were so dissatisfied that they would consider leaving the health sector or the country. The report concludes that policy-makers should consider interventions to remedy the quality of management, availability of equipment and supplies, facility infrastructure, workload, and professional development, which are reported as major sources of dissatisfaction.

Photo by Pamela McQuide. (Retention study participants)