"Trust, Responsibility, and Making a Difference": Qualitative Insights into Why First-Line Managers in Healthcare Remain in Their Role.

Healthcare organizations face increasing challenges in retaining first-line managers, who play a key role in operational stability and patient care. Studies indicate that approximately half of all first-line managers intend to leave their position within 5 years. This highlights the need for updated...

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Publicado en:Inquiry (00469580) Vol. 62; pp. 1 - 10
Autores principales: Svanström, Jonas, Lindberg, Magnus, Skytt, Bernice, Lindberg, Maria
Formato: research Journal Article
Publicado: Sage Publications Inc. 8/21/2025
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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      dt: 8/21/2025
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      pub: Sage Publications Inc.
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        atl: "Trust, Responsibility, and Making a Difference": Qualitative Insights into Why First-Line Managers in Healthcare Remain in Their Role.
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          Svanström, Jonas
          Lindberg, Magnus
          Skytt, Bernice
          Lindberg, Maria
        affil: University of Gävle, Sweden
      sug:
        subj:
          Trust
          Accountability
          Frontline Personnel Psychosocial Factors
          Professional Role
          Attitude of Health Personnel Evaluation
          Personnel Retention
          Sweden
          Funding Source
          Human
          Male
          Female
          Adult
          Middle Age
          Qualitative Studies
          Descriptive Research
          Semi-Structured Interview
          Content Analysis
          Support, Psychosocial
          Commitment
          Confidence
          Thematic Analysis
          Decision Making
          Psychological Well-Being
          Patient Care
          Staff Development
          Autonomy
          Workload
          Leadership
          Adult: 19-44 years
          Middle Aged: 45-64 years
          Male
          Female
      ab: Healthcare organizations face increasing challenges in retaining first-line managers, who play a key role in operational stability and patient care. Studies indicate that approximately half of all first-line managers intend to leave their position within 5 years. This highlights the need for updated knowledge about conditions under which they work. A qualitative descriptive design was used to explore first-line managers' perceptions of what is important for them to remain in the managerial role. Data were collected through 20 individual semi-structured interviews with first-line managers from a medium-sized healthcare organization in Sweden between March and June 2022. The data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The results are presented through the overarching theme Empowered through support, responsibility, and meaningful contribution. This theme describes how first-line managers sustain their motivation and commitment by developing confidence in their ability to lead, influence others, and create meaningful change. Their confidence is grounded in support, responsibility, and role clarity. The theme also shows how first-line managers handle challenges, make decisions, and act to improve staff well-being and patient care. Through these actions, they contribute to the development of their units. Trust from their manager, autonomy in decision-making, and support from colleagues enhance first-line managers' sense of purpose and motivation, encouraging them to remain in their role. Moreover, balanced workloads and opportunities to make a meaningful impact strengthen their commitment. By recognizing and addressing these aspects, healthcare organizations can better support long-term engagement of first-line managers, fostering sustainable leadership and stability.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        research
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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