Violating Nigerian medical doctors’ contract: Do I remain committed to my employer and nation?

Abstract

Orientation: In recent years, the healthcare sector in Nigeria has faced significant challenges, including high turnover rates among medical professionals. Previous studies have only focused on monetary reasons for turnover, but there is a gap in understanding how psychological factors predict turnover.

Research purpose: This study examined how psychological contract violation affects the intention to remain or leave among medical doctors in Nigeria.

Motivation for the study: Having an understanding of how medical doctors navigate the breach of their contract and their commitment is important for improving retention strategies and subsequent overall healthcare system in Nigeria.

Research approach/design and method: A cross-sectional survey research design was adopted and quantitative data were gathered from 362 medical doctors. More of the respondents (69.6%) were doing their residency.

Main findings: Findings revealed that employee retention had a significant relationship with perceived breach and feelings of violation (p < 0.01). The dimensions of psychological contract violation accounted for about 53% variance in employee retention [R² = 0.53; F (2, 359) = 201.01; p < 0.01]; also, perceived breach and feelings of violation were significant independent predictors of employee retention.

Practical/managerial implications: The study recommends that the Ministry of Health in Nigeria consider reviewing the bond and terms of the working relationship between medical doctors and employers to reduce the brain drain of medical doctors.

Contribution/value-add: The study helps to connect psychological and organisational factors in the turnover rate of medical doctors, unraveling that non-monetary factors also play a crucial role.