Supporting Staff in Southern Family Planning Clinics: Challenges and Opportunities

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Anna Newton-Levinson, Emory University; Megan Higdon, Emory University; Roger Rochat, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2022-01-08
• Publisher: SPRINGER/PLENUM PUBLISHERS
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © The Author(s) 2021
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10995-021-03339-5
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH JOURNAL
• Volume: 26
• Issue: 2
• Start Page: 319
• End Page: 327
• Grant/Funding Information: This study received support from Planned Parenthood Federation of America, New York, New York, as part of a larger evaluation effort. The research team had sole responsibility for the preparation of this article.
• Keywords: BURNOUT; PROVIDERS; ABORTION; Science & Technology; Access; CARE; Family planning; Abortion; STIGMA; UNITED-STATES; NURSES; Workforce; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Public, Environmental & Occupational Health; Clinic staff
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Public Health

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify key challenges and opportunities to better support non-clinician clinic staff at family planning centers in Southern US states. Methods: We conducted qualitative interviews with 15 individuals in clinic staff and leadership positions at family planning centers in seven Southern states. Results: Turnover had negative impacts on both clinic functioning as well as patient care. Participants identified several challenges related to recruitment and retention in family planning health centers in the South, including the conservative contextual landscape, the perceived value of support staff, gaps in communication, and rural locations. In response to these challenges, staff also identified key strategies to better support and retain health center workers. These included prioritizing investment in management, creating career advancement opportunities, prioritizing staff retention, and creating space for self-care. Health center staff and leadership who used these strategies to support and retain staff noted improvements in the effectiveness of staff work as well as increases in patient volume. Conclusions for Practice: Study findings provide key areas for intervention including providing development opportunities, commitment from leadership to recognize and invest in staff and supporting self-care. Focusing on ensuring internal organizational justice for staff may also facilitate resilience to external challenging environments. Better supporting clinic staff is likely also important for quality services and ensures the full workforce involved in providing family planning care can work at full capacity.