The utility of conceptualisations of place and belonging in workforce retention: A proposal for future rural health research. (March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Malatzky, Christina; Cosgrave, Catherine; Gillespie, Judy
• Is Part Of: Health & place. Volume 62(2020:Mar.)
• Publication Date: 2020-03
• Subjects: Sense of place -- Place attachment -- Belonging-in-place -- Rural health workforce -- Retention -- Person-centred; Health -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Health services accessibility -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; Political planning -- Periodicals; Social medicine -- Periodicals; Epidemiology -- Periodicals; Health Policy -- Periodicals; Health Services Accessibility -- Periodicals; Public Health -- Periodicals; Public Policy -- Periodicals; Sociology, Medical -- Periodicals; Épidémiologie -- Périodiques; Politique sanitaire -- Périodiques; Santé, Services de -- Accessibilité -- Périodiques; Health services accessibility; Health -- Social aspects; Political planning; Public health; Social medicine; Periodicals; 613
• DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2019.102279
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1353-8292

Abstract

Abstract: This paper explores the utility of sense of place, place attachment and belonging-in-place for research into rural health workforce retention. One of the key contributors to health disparities between rural and metropolitan-based residents is inadequate staffing of rural health services, and many rural places around the world struggle to retain health professionals. Despite some recognition of the complex array of factors and circumstances impacting rural workforce retention, research focuses primarily on organisational and role-based causes. Health geography and concepts associated with place currently being used in some rural research may offer much to workforce retention research, especially when applied alongside person-centred approaches. Highlights: The utility of place and belonging for rural health workforce retention is explored. Attention to place and belonging as workforce retention determinants is required. Place and belonging concepts are important for person-centred retention approaches. Rare examples in empirical rural health research of engagement with these concepts. Using the concepts could advance a progressive, transformative rural health agenda.