How do we address the shortage of healthcare professionals for individuals with profound disabilities?

Individuals with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities heavily rely on specialized healthcare personnel. However, there is currently a significant shortage of this type of staff. Therefore, Annette van der Putten and her colleagues are launching a new research project to provide more insights into how healthcare institutions can attract and retain personnel.

In the Netherlands, approximately 10,000 people have profound intellectual and multiple disabilities. These individuals are highly dependent on specialized healthcare personnel. Because they communicate difficultly through verbal language and instead use (small) non verbal signals such as body language, it is crucial that their direct support staff know them well.

Vicious Circle 

Given this dependency on others, according to Professor of Orthopedagogy Annette van der Putten, it is particularly alarming that there is currently a shortage of qualified healthcare personnel. This shortage is caused not only by low recruitment but also by high staff turnover. Moreover, the shortage makes it a less attractive sector to work in, creating a vicious circle. This situation puts the quality of life of people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities under pressure.

Binding and Bonding

Therefore, van der Putten, along with colleagues from the University of Groningen, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Erasmus University, and societal partners, will initiate a new research project in early 2024 called "Binding and Bonding". In this three-year project, they will investigate why (future) professionals choose to work with individuals with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities ("binding") and what makes them stay in this profession ("bonding"). Van der Putten recently received a subsidy of €250,000 from ZonMw for this project.

Organizational Scan 

An essential part of the project is developing an application that allows organizations to assess professional engagement. This app helps organizations to implement strategies to retain staff at various organizational levels, and its success can also be measured. By promoting the sustainable deployment of personnel, the researchers aim to contribute to the quality of life of individuals with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities.

The project is part of the Academic Collaborative Centre for PIMD. This centre aims to bring research and practice in the field of profound disabilities closer together. From the University of Groningen, the following researchers are involved in the project: