Understanding How Incentives Influence Motivation and Retention of Health Workers

Abstract

A critical factor in addressing the human resources crisis in low and middle income countries (LMIC) is the ability to recruit, motivate and retain health workers. Failure in this area is one of the main causes of decline in availability of services and quality of care. Various financial and non-financial incentives have been implemented and this chapter will explore available evidence to see whether they have influenced motivation. Additionally, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is used to determine if there is a hierarchy of how incentives are valued. While Maslow’s model is a useful tool to classify themes of health worker needs, it would appear that workers are motivated without each level having to be fulfilled in turn. While financial incentives may help with retention, they can cause erosion of professional ethos, do not increase job satisfaction or act as motivators to perform well. More research needs to be done in order to design more effective human resources strategies.