Do Allied Health Professionals' Workplace Experiences Affect Their Decisions to Stay? A Quantitative Investigation Into the Relationship Between Wellness and Employee Retention in United States Hospitals

ORCID

Dina Jarjees: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-0707-3555

Abstract

Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) are university-trained practitioners with specialized skills essential for preventing, diagnosing, and treating health conditions. AHPs play a vital role in comprehensive healthcare, including hospitals, where they comprise a significant portion of the workforce and recurrent health expenditures. However, AHPs experience considerable burnout and emotional distress, negatively impacting retention. This issue worsens workforce shortages and limits access to care, which jeopardizes patient safety. This national, cross-sectional, quantitative study examined the relationship between AHPs' wellness dimensions (physical, emotional, mental, social, and spiritual) and AHPs' retention in United States hospitals. A self-developed survey instrument included 10 demographic and 25 10-point Likert-scale questions; and was validated by both researchers' independent and collaborative reviews, four subject matter experts' reviews, four cognitive interviewees' reviews, and a pilot study. The final sample (n = 155) was comprised of cardiovascular perfusionists, medical laboratory scientists, and physician associates. Demographic and quantitative data were analyzed using Minitab. Notably, several key independent variable indicators (Workdays Meal Plans, WDMP; Mental Health and Supportive Work Environment, MHSWE; and Mental Wellness and Flexibility in Work Hours, MWFWH) were positively correlated with the dependent variable indicators (job satisfaction, work-life balance, and managerial support). Three main findings emerged: (1) WDMP significantly predicts job satisfaction and work-life balance, (2) MHSWE predicts leadership styles and supportive culture, and (3) MWFWH predicts job satisfaction and managerial support. These findings may provide healthcare policymakers and health administrators with the important insights that guide their development of tailored wellness programs to enhance AHPs' workplace experiences thus improve patient experiences.

Recommended Citation

Jarjees D, Dishman L. Do Allied Health Professionals' Workplace Experiences Affect Their Decisions to Stay? A Quantitative Investigation Into the Relationship Between Wellness and Employee Retention in United States Hospitals. Patient Experience Journal. 2026; 13(1):308-344. doi: 10.35680/2372-0247.2109.