Scohpica: Längsschnittanalyse der Gesundheitsfachkräfte

Beschreibung

Background

It is imperative to maintain an adequate supply of proficient healthcare professionals (HCPs) and optimal working conditions. While expanding literature examines HCPs, few studies focus on the career paths of HCPs and explore in detail what could undermine their satisfaction and retention.

The overall aim of this study is to provide detailed and nationwide information, using the Theoretical model of clinical nurses’ intent to stay (TMINS), to help monitor, manage and retain HCPs in their professions, considering their trajectories and evolution over time.

Specific objectives (by workpackage - WP)

1. To identify the underlying mechanisms leading HCPs to stay in their profession and to experience greater well-being (WP1)
2. To characterize the career trajectories of HCPs and provide typologies of professional careers to be linked to well-being, intention to stay in the profession, and their determinants (WP2)
3. To provide an in-depth understanding of the reasons and mechanisms leading HCPs to plan to stay in their profession (WP3)
4. To integrate quantitative and qualitative data to provide valuable information to healthcare stakeholders, for possible courses of action (WP4)

Methods

Study design: Sequential (QUANT-qual) explanatory mixed method study design Population: All HCPs in contact with patients and currently practicing in Switzerland, who enrolled in the Swiss cohort of health professionals and informal caregivers (SCOHPICA) in 2022 (n=1707) or 2023 (recruitment ongoing, > 1300 participants expected).

Data source: Quantitative part (WP1-2): SCOHPICA 2022/2023 data, and 2024 data from life history calendars (LHC). Qualitative data (WP3): concept maps resulting from the step-by-step reflections of national discussion groups.

Measures: WP1: outcomes (intention to stay in the profession, well-being), determinants of the latter (according to the TMINS), and socio-demographic and occupational characteristics. WP2: LHC to obtain complete information on participants’ life trajectories, from their studies to the present. WP3: data from nationwide group discussions on focal areas related to intent to stay and professional careers. The focal areas will be defined once the results of WP 1 and 2 are available.

Analyses: WP1: Structural equation modeling (SEM) with latent variables and multi group strategies will be used to assess the hypothesized theoretical and alternative models. K-means clustering analyses on selected factors will serve to describe preliminary clusters of HCPs’ sharing similar work experiences. WP2: To establish a typology of professional trajectories (trajectory clusters), sequence analysis will be applied, first separately on each field, then by combining them. They will then be analyzed taking into account the participants’ characteristics. WP3: The six steps of “Concept Mapping”, a participatory qualitative method will be used: 1) Preparation; 2) Generation, 3) Structuring, 4) Representation, 5) Interpretation, 6) Utilization. The aim will be to explore focal areas related to intent to stay and professional careers arising from WP1-2. WP4: Considering the Pillar Integration Process, a joint display process, we will integrate data from WP3 to enhance and elucidate results arising in WP1-2.

The results will be joint tables linking QUANT and qual data, describing and defining emerging themes and providing possible explanations. Possible courses of actions will be suggested for each theme and discussed with the research team and experts.

Expected value
Using innovative methodologies, this project will help address key knowledge gaps in the HCPs domain and provide comprehensive and useful information for researchers, healthcare stakeholders and HCP’s. By supporting the identification of optimal conditions for high-quality professional practice, these comprehensive data and results will be crucial for shaping future policies and targeted health workforce intervention.

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