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RESEARCH ARTICLE
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What factors affect the recruitment and retention of allied health professionals working in hospitals? A systematic literature review

Laure Baumgartner https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0084-6263 A B * , Olivia Wright A B , Katelyn Barne A B , Karly Bartrim A B , Amy Kirkegaard A B , Victoria Sullivan https://orcid.org/0009-0009-9284-7535 A C , Emily Burch D and Lauren Ball A B C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Centre for Community Health and Wellbeing, The University of Queensland, Level 7, Springfield Tower, 145 Sinnathamby Boulevard, Springfield Central, Qld 4300, Australia.

B School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, The University of Queensland, Qld, Australia.

C School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Qld, Australia.

D Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University, Gold Coast, Qld, Australia.

* Correspondence to: l.baumgartner@uq.edu.au

Australian Health Review https://doi.org/10.1071/AH24287
Submitted: 16 October 2024  Accepted: 15 November 2024  Published: 2 December 2024

© 2024 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of AHHA.

Abstract

Objective

Workforce shortages in hospitals have necessitated a focus on recruitment and retention of health professionals. The aim of this systematic review was to synthesise literature relating to factors that affect recruitment and retention of allied health professionals working in hospital settings.

Method

PubMed, CINAHL (via EbscoHost), Embase (via Elsevier), and Scopus Advanced Search databases were used to retrieve 1665 studies, of which 16 were included. Herzberg’s two-factor theory was used to synthesise study findings and develop key themes.

Results

Job advancement, company policies, supervision (leadership), working conditions, salary, recognition, and growth opportunities were factors identified as affecting recruitment and retention.

Conclusion

Identified factors are largely amenable to change and could contribute to a more sustainable allied health workforce in hospitals and enhance the quality of care. This research could significantly impact and enhance the evidence supporting interventions and strategies that are critical for retaining the allied health workforce in hospitals.

Keywords: allied health personnel, allied health professionals, factors, intention to leave, personnel turnover, recruitment, retention, turnover intention, workforce.

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