Motivation in Health and Medicine

Derived from the Latin word movere which means “to move,” motivation refers to a state whereby an individual is compelled to pursue a goal or objective to satisfy a particular want or need. An individual described as being motivated essentially has identified something that he or she wishes to gain or possess and has decided to move toward its acquisition. A motivated individual would be said to be in an active, as opposed to a passive or dormant state, directing energies aimed at fulfillment. Not surprisingly, the state of workforce motivation has a profound impact on the performance of health and medical institutions. If healthcare establishments can consistently field cadres of highly motivated employees, exceptional patient care and attention, as well as institutional prosperity, can be expected. Poorly motivated staffs will yield the reverse and can even threaten institutional viability. Given the extensive performance implications, the importance of directing intensive efforts toward bolstering high levels of motivation in the workplace cannot be underemphasized. Mastery of the knowledge and skills depicted in this chapter will allow health and medical providers to develop and maintain highly motivated workforces, affording an essential ingredient required for realizing exceptional performance in healthcare organizations.