Audit & Analysis of turnover of medical practitioners’ resignation from Mankwneg Academic hospital, Limpopo, South Africa

Abstract

Background: Shortages and staff turnover have been recognized as one of the big concerns for employer and patient care in the health-care sector worldwide. It has been observed that some of the health professionals particularly medical doctors are resigning from Mankweng academic hospital time to time and which is affecting the service delivery and training program. Purpose of the Research: Main aim of the study to figure out what factors influencing medical practitioner to quit Mankweng hospital. Methods: The study was a retrospective cross sectional descriptive quantitative design to analyse the profile of all Medical doctors, who quitted from Mankweng Academic hospital for 5-year period from January 2018 to December 2022. Categorical variables were described as proportions and frequency tables.  Result: Total 74 medical practitioner resigned. Male 37 and female 37 from different departments. Reason of resigning:  Lack of prospect advancement 19(25.7%), Relocation to other area 19(25.7%) and Promotion 14(19%), family reason 8(10.8%), work related stress & poor working condition 5.4% each, further study 4% and other 4%. Suggestion for retention: Improve staff 24.3%, employee support 21.6%. Conclusions:  Lack of prospect advancement (25.7%), Relocation to other area (25.7%) and Promotion (19%), are responsible for main reasons of resignation among all medical practitioners. Approximately 24% of resigned doctors suggested increasing the staff number.  Increased staff would improve the working condition; reduce burnout, fatigue, stress and which would decrease the turnover of medical practitioners. It is paramount important to hire more medical specialist and retain them in order to get accreditation of relevant departments.