The Assessment of Causes and Consequences of Medical Staff Absenteeism and Turnover in Arba Minch General Hospital

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to assess the causes of medical staff absenteeism and turnover in case of Arbaminch General Hospital. In addition, it explores the  consquences/ impact of  absenteeism and trunover on patients care,workload on medical staff and reputation on Arbaminch  General Hospital. To this end, the study employed a descriptive, correlation and regession analysis.  Data was collected using closed ended structured questionnaires by applying Likert scale  which were  filled  by  full time  medical staff (N= 50). The findings indicate that demographic factors such as marital status, working experiences, educational level and have significant negative correlation with absenteeism and turnover. Organizational factors such as working condition and work load have positive significant correlation with medical staff absenteeism and turnover.  In contrast, all studied organizational factors such as compensation/ incentive program, promotional opportunities, managerial style, training and development and career development are significantly negatively correlated with both absenteeism and turnover. The findings also indicated that medical staff absenteeism and turnover had consequences on patient care, increasing workload on existing staff, and bad reputation for hospital. Furthermore, both absenteeism and turnover have resulted in demoralization of existing medical staff at Arbaminch General Hospital.

Keywords: Demographic Variables, Job Factors, Organizational Factors, Patient Care, Demoralization, Absenteeism, Turnover