Predictors of physical therapy faculty job turnover

Graduate Program in Physical Therapy, University of California, San Francisco 94143-0736.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE. The purpose of this study was to determine what factors are predictive of job turnover of faculty in physical therapy education programs. SUBJECTS. Four hundred six physical therapy faculty and 92 academic program directors participated in the study. METHODS. Data were collected from two questionnaires mailed to the participants. Fifteen predictors of turnover were tested, using correlational and multiple regression analyses for data on faculty and education programs. RESULTS. Findings showed that 10% of the faculty resigned within a 1-year period. Low, but significant, correlations were found between higher turnover and fewer years of employment, behavioral intentions to leave, lower salary, higher job stress, and baccalaureate programs. Multiple regression analysis revealed that education programs with faculty having fewer years of employment and the availability of many job alternatives demonstrated significantly higher turnover. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION. Measures to reduce turnover, including faculty recruitment and retention plans, job redesign strategies, and faculty development programs for new faculty, are recommended.