Turnover Tendency and Related Factors Among Rehabilitation Professionals in Japan: Quantifying Multiple-Choice Questionnaire Items Using Topic Analysis

Background Rehabilitation needs have recently increased globally as societies age. Preventing well-trained rehabilitation professional turnover is important to provide effective treatments and minimize losses. However, reasons for turnover among rehabilitation professionals have not been reported in Japan. Objective This study aimed to clarify the factors related to turnover intention among rehabilitation professionals in Japan. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional internet panel survey of 515 physical and occupational therapists. Turnover intention and potential items relevant to turnover were measured using a rating scale and multiple-choice questions. We performed a two-step analysis: topic analysis and factor analysis. Topic analysis on multiple-choice questions extracted the topics described in the text. Factor analysis was consequently performed, which extracted each respondent's motivations (topics) and the results of the graded evaluation method. Linear regressions were performed using the resultant factors and the responses regarding turnover intention. Results Four factors were significantly relevant to turnover intention (p<i><</i>0.05): "People with low job satisfaction are more likely to quit"; "People will quit because of an unbalanced relationship between working hours and salary"; "Relationships among coworkers are important"; and "People with high motivation for research activities are more likely to quit." Conclusions Our results clarified that the factors relevant to turnover among rehabilitation professionals in Japan are common to health professionals in other countries. Increasing job satisfaction and building a working environment with good relationships among coworkers might prevent turnover among rehabilitation professionals.