Becker’s Healthcare Podcast Before They Walk: Uncovering the Hidden Drivers of Healthcare Turnover
Jun 24, 2025
Dr. Helen Riess, a pioneering psychiatrist and the founder of Empathetics, sheds light on the deep-rooted reasons behind healthcare employee turnover. She reveals that emotional disconnection often outweighs financial motivations in driving employees away. The conversation explores neuroscience's role in trust and workplace engagement, emphasizing the need for genuine connection. Dr. Riess discusses innovative solutions for fostering empathy and improving retention, including the introduction of technology to enhance emotional ties among teams.
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Disconnection Drives Turnover
- Disconnection, not compensation, primarily drives healthcare employees to leave.
- Traditional retention methods miss this crucial issue, leading to continued turnover.
Neurological Impact of Being Heard
- Feeling heard reduces stress and improves decision-making in employees.
- Feeling dismissed triggers survival mode, impairing judgment and leading to burnout.
Spot Early Signs of Disengagement
- Subtle signs such as less eye contact, clipped responses, and withdrawal from activities indicate employee disengagement.
- Leaders need to pay attention to these early behavioral changes to prevent turnover.