Supporting health professionals through information and communication technologies: a systematic review of the effects of information and communication technologies on recruitment and retention.

UNLABELLED

Healthcare personnel shortage is a growing concern in many countries, especially in remote areas, where it has major consequences on the accessibility of health services. Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have often been proposed as having positive effects on certain dimensions of the recruitment and retention of professionals working in the healthcare sector.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to explore the impact of interventions using ICTs on recruitment and retention of healthcare professionals.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic review of the literature was conducted, including the following steps: exploring scientific and gray literature through established criteria and data extraction of relevant information by two independent reviewers.

RESULTS

Of the 2,225 screened studies, 13 were included. Nine studies showed a positive, often indirect, influence that ICTs may have on recruitment and retention.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the conclusions of 9 of 13 studies reporting a possible positive influence of ICTs on the recruitment and retention of healthcare professionals, these results highlight the need of a deeper reflection on that topic. Therefore, more research is needed.