EMS workers' intention to leave varied widely across studies
A review linked intention to leave with job stress, dissatisfaction and resource pressures, but it did not establish why workers leave or test retention strategies.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
The pooled estimate suggests that intention to leave is common among emergency medical services professionals, with substantial differences across regions and study sizes. Job dissatisfaction and stress were the most frequently reported associated factors. These observational findings describe intentions; they do not establish causes, predict individual resignations or demonstrate that a retention strategy works.
The abstract does not describe how individual studies measured intention to leave. Estimates differed by region and sample size, so the pooled value may not represent a particular workforce.
What researchers found
Pooled prevalence of intention to leave a job
Across 19 observational studies; no treatment comparator. Assessment timeframe was not reported.
What the estimate describes
The review separated prevalence from possible workplace contributors. Its overall estimate describes reported intentions within the included studies; it is not a forecast of how many staff will resign.
Workplace factors were associated
Burnout, workload, compensation and physical or mental health also appeared among the reported factors. These associations frame questions about working conditions, but the review did not test whether changing those conditions improves retention.
The original publication
Turnover intention and its predictors among Emergency Medical Services (EMS) professionals: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Zarei E, Safari M, Zamani Z et al.
Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 41588459
- Record checked
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