Sustainable employability of healthcare professionals

Sustainable employability of healthcare professionals
Jasmijn van Harten, i.c.w. prof. dr. Peter Leisink, dr. Eva Knies

Sustainable employability (being able and willing to perform professionally throughout the career) is of great significance for both employees and employers who face turbulent environments that cause ongoing changes in and around jobs. Especially hospitals are confronted with constant changes such as the introduction of market mechanisms, cost cutting and technological and medical innovations. Therefore, it is very important that hospital workers continuously update and develop themselves in order to perform professionally and to prevent obsolescence. Up to now, research that thoroughly investigates determinants and results of sustainable employability that are valuable for both the employee and employer, is lacking. There are several studies that provide insights into various parts of the puzzle, yet a comprehensive understanding of sustainable employability that is empirically tested is highly needed. This research aims to fill this void by examining the antecedents and outcomes of sustainable employability of healthcare professionals. Exploratory interviews with different types of hospital workers have informed a survey. Survey data were collected in three Dutch hospitals and a second wave of data collection is planned.