Existential, Relatedness and Growth Needs that Determine Turnover Intention of Rural CHC Doctors in Tamil Nadu: Structural Equation Model

Abstract

This article explores the motivational needs of doctors to retain in the rural areas by reducing their turnover intention. The study investigates the effect of Existential, Relatedness, and Growth (ERG) dimensions on turnover intention of Community Health Centre (CHC) doctors when they are placed in rural and remote areas of Tamil Nadu. This article discovered and examined the link between ERG needs and turnover intention. The study is based on a cross-sectional analytic study design, wherein primary data were gathered using a structured questionnaire on a five-point Likert scale from 318 doctors and processed through descriptive statistics and structural equation modelling using Smart PLS 3. The element of ‘growth needs’ within the ERG framework has been identified as the most significant predictor of rural CHC doctors’ intention to leave their positions. Therefore, policymakers should focus on developing strategies related to this aspect to retain doctors in rural areas. Additionally, researchers and public health practitioners can employ validated ERG instruments to analyse doctors’ motivation for choosing rural postings in India.