Operational Challenges and Job Satisfaction Among Clinicians in Medicare-Certified Home Health Agencies: A National Survey

Résumé fourni par la source

Background: Growing pressure to reduce hospital length of stay has made Medicare-certified home health agencies (HHAs) essential for preventing readmissions. Despite record demand, high clinician turnover remains a critical barrier to care delivery. Aim: To explore the perspectives of Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Physical Therapists (PTs), Physical Therapy Assistants (PTAs), Occupational Therapists (OTs), Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTAs), and Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs; n = 372) on key operational aspects of home health practice and examine how satisfaction with these factors correlates with overall job satisfaction. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was disseminated nationally via professional association forums and social media between March 11 and April 15, 2025. The survey assessed 5 components: scheduling, traveling, environment, documentation, and overall job satisfaction using a 5-point Likert scale, along with questions on discipline, work location, OASIS completion, and documentation mode. Reliability was assessed using McDonald’s omega (ω = 0.754). Spearman’s rho correlation analysis examined associations between operational components and job satisfaction. Results: Of 372 responses (179 PTs/PTAs, 78 OTs/COTAs, 71 RNs/LPNs, 44 SLPs), scheduling received the highest satisfaction ratings while documentation received the highest dissatisfaction. All 4 operational components correlated significantly with job satisfaction (df = 370): documentation (ρ = 0.575, P < .001), scheduling (ρ = 0.490, P < .001), traveling (ρ = 0.481, P < .001), and environment (ρ = 0.305, P < .001). Conclusion: Documentation burden, scheduling autonomy, and travel demands are the strongest operational drivers of home health clinician job satisfaction. Targeted improvements in these areas may meaningfully support workforce retention in Medicare-certified HHAs.

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