Motivating medicine: Why money is not enough

Abstract

The public health system in Australia currently faces unprecedented challenges managing an ageing population with a rising burden of illness. Health professionals employed in the area are under constant pressure to do more with less, leading to high levels of employee dissatisfaction. Physician satisfaction is a critical aspect of quality health care, allowing the development of a motivated workforce committed to improving patient outcomes. Herzberg has identified several factors that contribute to employee motivation, including financial remuneration, work-life balance and the recognition and reward of good performance. Some strategies are more effective than others; here we discuss their relative advantages, the role of financial rewards, and propose other interventions to 'switch on' motivation.

10.5937/sjas11-6957 = Differences in motivation of health care professionals in public and private health care centers

“…Health professionals in Slovenia and Croatia have stated that their suggestions and eagerness for professional development are not taken into consideration when implementing changes in health care centers (Skela Savič and Pagon, 2008;Skela Savič and Robida, 2013). Almost two-thirds of medical sta in Australia has thought about leaving the public sector (Dalton, 2010). Having this in mind, we have decided to explore di erences in motivation of health care professionals employed in public and private health care centers in Belgrade, Serbia.…”

Investigating demographic, work-related and job satisfaction variables as predictors of motivation in Greek nurses

“…Some strategies are more effective than others and rewards other than money could also ‘switch on’ motivation (Bjerneld et al. 2006, Dalton 2010).…”

Doctors as a knowledge and intelligence building group: pragmatic principles underlying decision-making processes

“…The resulting economic incentives can encourage and legitimise an uncritical adherence to these rules, devaluating clinical experience and fostering discontent among physicians and patients 14 15. Clinical experience was the cornerstone of decisions at the bedside until a few decades ago, but it seems now to become the major culprit of variability in clinical practice.…”