A Scoping Review on Interventions for Retention of Healthcare Workers in Epidemic Disasters

The health sector will face a shortage of manpower during crises. The sustainability and  retention of human resources during these conditions are vital. The purpose of this study was to explain possible policies and strategies to strengthen health workers during the crisis and prevent them from leaving the organizations and hospitals.

This was a scoping review research to find strategies for retention of human resources during epidemics. English and Persian databases were searched and relevant studies were selected and reviewed. The key pieces of information obtained were then categorized. Finally, suggested efficient policies and strategies were summarized and reported.

A total of 168 different articles were collected. After excluding irrelevant studies, 21 articles were selected and fully reviewed. The results were classified into six main categories of policy-making as well as strategies to implement them.

Considering the epidemic situations, in order to strengthen and support human resources in times of crisis, it is recommended that policymakers and decision-makers of the health sector focus their attention on six major topics including education reform, financial support, psychological support, social and welfare support, professional support, and development of infrastructures in deprived and crisis-stricken areas. The important point about suggested strategies is that they need to be in accordance with the ongoing situation of their target societies, as we know that underdeveloped, developing and developed countries have a different set of circumstances and therefore require different priorities and policies.