The Prevalence and Factors Associated with Workforce Attrition and Intention‐to‐Leave Among Healthcare Workers in New Zealand: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta‐Analysis

TL;DR

This study reviews and analyzes the rates of healthcare worker attrition and intention to leave in New Zealand, identifying key factors influencing workforce stability.

Contribution

The paper provides the first synthesis of attrition and intention-to-leave rates among New Zealand healthcare workers.

Findings

Midwives had the highest attrition rate at 26.0%.

Intention-to-leave was most common among midwives at 54.0%.

Workforce instability varied by profession, time period, and educational level.

Abstract

Despite increasing concern about the stability of New Zealand's (NZ) health workforce, no prior synthesis has estimated the prevalence of attrition or intention‐to‐leave. This systematic review and meta‐analysis included 32 studies and followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analysis and Meta‐Analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology checklist guidelines to estimate these rates and identify associated factors. Attrition was highest among midwives (26.0%, 95% CI: 17.0%−36.0%), doctors (26.0%, 95% CI: 24.0%−27.0%), and those without postgraduate qualifications (29.0%, 95% CI: 26.0%−32.0%). Intention‐to‐leave was most prevalent among midwives (54.0%, 95% CI: 42.0%−66.0%) and in studies conducted between 2000 and 2010 (33.0%, 95% CI: 20.0%−47.0%). These findings highlight substantial workforce instability, with clear variation by profession, time period, and educational level, underscoring the need for targeted retention strategies to support the sustainability of NZ's healthcare system.

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