Sustainable employability of healthcare professionals: Determinants of work ability and vitality at work

Authors Ruben Kraaijeveld, Josje Dikkers, Annet H. de Lange
Published in Work: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment and Rehabilitation
Publication date 2025
Research groups Organiseren van Waardig Werk
Type Article

Summary

Due to personnel shortages, an aging workforce and high job demands in the European healthcare sector, healthcare organizations must invest in the sustainable employability (SE) of their personnel.1–3 In the Netherlands, there were more than 53,000 vacancies in the care and welfare sector in 2024, a number expected to rise to more than 288,000 vacancies by 2034.4 Furthermore, the absenteeism rate among Dutch healthcare professionals was 7.3% in 2024.5 This shortage of personnel and high absenteeism rate places significant pressure on the remaining professionals. In the Netherlands, 43% of healthcare professionals rated their job demands as (much) too high in 2024.5 To manage these high job demands, healthcare professionals need to maintain both vitality and a sufficient level of work ability. Consequently, healthcare organizations need effective strategies to promote their professionals’ SE. But how can healthcare organizations improve the work ability and vitality of their professionals? This study replicates and extends earlier research on the determinants of work ability and vitality at work.

On this publication contributed

Language Engels
Published in Work: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment and Rehabilitation
Key words health promotion, health personnel, mental health, workplace, lifestyle, sleep, workload, personnel management
Digital Object Identifier 10.1177/10519815251389920

Ruben Kraaijeveld