Version 1
: Received: 28 March 2024 / Approved: 28 March 2024 / Online: 29 March 2024 (17:06:52 CET)
How to cite:
Kefala, A.M.; Triantafyllou, A.; Symvoulakis, E.K.; Tzouganatou, E.; Kapellas, N.; Smyrnakis, E. Working as a Healthcare Professional at Island Primary Care: An Exploratory Qualitative Study in Cyclades Islands, Greece. Preprints2024, 2024031796. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202403.1796.v1
Kefala, A.M.; Triantafyllou, A.; Symvoulakis, E.K.; Tzouganatou, E.; Kapellas, N.; Smyrnakis, E. Working as a Healthcare Professional at Island Primary Care: An Exploratory Qualitative Study in Cyclades Islands, Greece. Preprints 2024, 2024031796. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202403.1796.v1
Kefala, A.M.; Triantafyllou, A.; Symvoulakis, E.K.; Tzouganatou, E.; Kapellas, N.; Smyrnakis, E. Working as a Healthcare Professional at Island Primary Care: An Exploratory Qualitative Study in Cyclades Islands, Greece. Preprints2024, 2024031796. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202403.1796.v1
APA Style
Kefala, A.M., Triantafyllou, A., Symvoulakis, E.K., Tzouganatou, E., Kapellas, N., & Smyrnakis, E. (2024). Working as a Healthcare Professional at Island Primary Care: An Exploratory Qualitative Study in Cyclades Islands, Greece. Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202403.1796.v1
Chicago/Turabian Style
Kefala, A.M., Nikolaos Kapellas and Emmanouil Smyrnakis. 2024 "Working as a Healthcare Professional at Island Primary Care: An Exploratory Qualitative Study in Cyclades Islands, Greece" Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202403.1796.v1
Abstract
Improving the quality and access to healthcare services in rural areas is fundamental to develop sustainable healthcare systems. This research aims to explore the motivations of healthcare professionals to work and settle in rural island areas of Greece with limited access to secondary and tertiary care. The study suggests practical ways to encourage self-motivation and attract more health workers in rural areas. An exploratory qualitative research approach was employed, involving semi-structured interviews with 16 healthcare professionals working in primary care units that lack direct hospital or hospital-health center access. The research was conducted specifically in the rural islands of Cyclades. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify common themes and unique insights from the participants. The analysis revealed three thematic categories. Τhe «attraction» thematic was influenced by personal factors, random selection, origin, accommodation factors, professional factors and obligatoriness. The «recruitment» thematic was associated with understaffing, special care issues, unstable working environment, educational and organizational aspects, and insular lifestyle. The thematic of «retention» highlighted personal issues, accommodation difficulties, economic and work-related issues, and unique challenges posed by an insular lifestyle. This research provides valuable insights into the motivations that drive healthcare professionals to settle, work, and remain in remote island units, as well as the challenges they encounter in making this decision. The study proposes strategies to motivate and attract more healthcare professionals to rural areas. These findings should be considered when formulating or reviewing primary healthcare empowerment policies to ensure equitable healthcare access for all individuals.
Keywords
Island Primary Care; Rural areas; Greek Islands; Primary Health Care; Healthcare Professionals; Motivations
Subject
Public Health and Healthcare, Primary Health Care
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
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