When we talk about retaining health care workers (HCWs), we usually ask: why are they leaving? Perhaps we should also ask: why do they no longer stay?
The two questions are related but different. People may leave because something pushes them away or because something better pulls them elsewhere. But people stay because there are reasons that make staying worthwhile.
To understand Malaysia’s HCW retention problem, we need to consider three things: the push factors from within, the pull factors from outside, and the shrinking pull factors from within the system itself.
Why Do They Leave?
There are many possible push factors: heavy workload, workforce shortages, fatigue, difficult working conditions, limited flexibility, concerns about remuneration, uncertain career progression and feeling undervalued.
