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Burnout and lack of support cited as major factors in health-care retirements

Nearly 45 per cent of health-care workers in Canada plan to retire within the next five years, with a new study identifying burnout and a lack of support as major contributors.

The report, authored by social work professor Nazim Habibov, PhD candidate Alena Auchynnikava, and Trent University mathematics professor Yunhong Lyu, examines factors affecting job retention among health-care workers during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Based on a nationwide survey, it highlights deteriorating working conditions, declining health and well-being, and insufficient organizational support as key factors driving workers to leave the field.

The pandemic significantly reduced job retention, which has been linked to lower patient care quality, higher mortality rates, and increased medical errors. This also escalated costs associated with hiring and training new staff, the study notes.

“Initially we thought the strongest determinant would be salary, and while it’s still a significant predictor that those making the highest income are ready to stay longer, we found that a lack of professional support and emotional support is the strongest indicator,” Dr. Habibov said.

“People are burning out at work and feel their organizations aren’t providing the support they need. As a result, many are considering less stressful jobs that offer better support.”

This is the first study to analyze nationally representative data on job retention in Canada, confirming previous findings and further investigating why health-care workers are planning to leave and how it can be addressed.

Habibov’s team’s recent research examines access to health care, the factors that hinder it, and the resulting health-care outcomes.

Canada has been experiencing growing health-care worker shortages, and according to the study, this can be attributed to a combination of supply factors such as caps on expenditures for training students in family care and nursing, as well as restrictions on internationally trained graduates, and demand factors such as the growing aging population.

The pandemic only exacerbated the situation.

With upcoming national and provincial elections, Habibov says he expects health-care issues, particularly the retention of health-care workers, to be one of the top priorities since the shortage of health-care personnel in Canada and Ontario is evident.

According to the report, only 14 per cent of Canadians have easy access to a doctor, while 50 per cent have struggled to find a family doctor within a week.

The Ontario College of Family Physicians also released data estimating that 2.5 million people in the province are without a primary care provider, with the numbers expected to grow.

According to Habibov’s team, dealing with a shortage of workers, subsequent changes in working conditions, and a lack of support are associated with a lower likelihood of job retention.

“The consequences of the COVID experience aren’t necessarily visible right now,” Habibov said. “When people decide to change careers, they prepare carefully. So even if they aren’t retiring en masse immediately after the pandemic, the issue persists — they’re just making plans to leave.”

Given the impact health-care worker retention will continue to have on the industry, Habibov said changes will be necessary, starting with recruitment.

“After receiving an education, people will go in different directions. So how can we ensure that they will want to stay in public health care? These interventions must be targeted, and we will need to continue to monitor the situation,” he said.

Intervention suggestions include training health-care managers to recognize deteriorating physical and mental health, as well as educating staff on promoting their well-being.

“When we look at the literature, we find there are many different ways to organize the help these workers seek,” Habibov noted. “For example, mindfulness programs, psychological support programs, and changing up management style to be more inclusive rather than top-down because that can alienate workers.”

Habibov emphasizes the need for strategic policy changes and long-term planning to address the health-care worker shortage.

“I would like to see changes in policy, and what I mean by that is carefully orchestrated steps rather than one quick fix,” he said. “The first step is admitting a problem exists, then moving toward a coordinated solution.”

official at lecternYMCA of Southwestern Ontario vice-president for facilities Andy Sullivan says its new space in the 300 Ouellette building represents the best of collaboration and thoughtful design.

YMCA relocating newcomer and employment services to downtown UWindsor campus

YMCA of Southwestern Ontario announced Tuesday the relocation of its Windsor newcomer and employment services office to the University of Windsor's downtown campus building, 300 Ouellette Ave.

Situated in the heart of downtown Windsor, the new YMCA facility will occupy a portion of the 300 Ouellette building, offering a more modern, accessible, and inspiring environment for both staff and participants. This relocation underscores the charity’s commitment to maintaining a strong presence in the city’s downtown core, said CEO Andrew Lockie.

“We are excited to work closely with the University of Windsor to create a vibrant and welcoming hub for our participants, while enhancing our collective impact on the community,” Lockie said. “Together, we aim to cultivate an environment where everyone can connect, thrive, and contribute to the rich tapestry of the City of Windsor.”

UWindsor president Robert Gordon said the move has the potential to expand recreational programming, experiential learning opportunities, and community benefits in the near future.

“By effectively harnessing the outreach and facilities capacity of both organizations, this partnership has the ability to generate local impact in the downtown core and beyond,” Dr. Gordon said.

YMCA of Southwestern Ontario operates in more than 200 locations from Goderich to Point Pelee, Windsor to Woodstock. Its office in 300 Ouellette Ave. is scheduled to be completed by the fall of 2025.

table of wrapped booksLeddy Library is offering a mystery date with a book.

Literary matches waiting at Leddy Library

No reason to be lovelorn this Valentine’s Day: go to Leddy Library to be set up on a mystery date with a book.

Leddy team members have carefully selected and wrapped eligible books now awaiting their special readers. The identity of the book won’t be revealed until it has been checked out and unwrapped.

You can find your "mystery date" on the main floor of the Leddy Library through Feb. 17 while supplies last. For more information, visit the Leddy Library website.

Beverly JacobsWindsor law professor Beverly Jacobs has been awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Law professor receives coronation medal

Windsor law professor Beverly Jacobs has been awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition of her outstanding contributions to Canada.

Administered by the Chancellery of Honours at the vice-regal residence Rideau Hall, the Coronation Medal commemorates the ascension of Charles III as King of Canada. It is awarded to individuals who have made a significant impact on Canada, their province, territory, or community, or who have achieved distinction abroad, bringing honor to the nation.

Dr. Jacobs is an associate professor in the Faculty of Law and recently completed a stint as senior advisor to the president on Indigenous relations and outreach. A lawyer, scholar, and advocate, she has held leadership roles in academia and practises law part-time in her home community of Six Nations. Her research focuses on Indigenous legal orders, decolonization, and addressing gendered colonial violence. A former president of the Native Women’s Association of Canada, she is a nationally and internationally recognized expert on Indigenous rights and a tireless champion for her community.

Chrysler Hall TowerThe University Print Shop has right of first refusal for all campus print and copy jobs.

Policy limits printing services to University Print Shop

Campus Services reminds readers that all printing services for University-sponsored materials — including but not limited to posters, lawn signs, brochures, flyers, banners, business cards, course materials, and official documents — must be provided exclusively through the University Print Shop.

Outsourcing print jobs to external vendors is not permitted.

The policy is in place to:

  • Ensure consistent print quality;
  • Adhere to branding guidelines;
  • Promote cost efficiency; and
  • Support the sustainability of campus print services.

If you require printing services or have specific requests, contact the University Print Shop directly at printshop@uwindsor.ca to find suitable options.

Read the Print Shop policy.

Megan Macleod and Kayla OliveiraMegan Macleod and Kayla Oliveira are two of four students to receive scholarships from the UWindsor chapter of the Golden Key International Honour Society.

Scholarships honour accomplished students

Scholarships from the UWindsor chapter of the Golden Key International Honour Society celebrate four students who promote equity, inclusion, and diversity, and who strive to further well-being and peace in the local community.

Co-presidents Sona Regonda and Linda Nguyen say they are proud to honour the exceptional achievements of the 2025 scholarship recipients: Elizabeth Pfisterer, studying towards a master’s of social work for working professionals; third-year law student Kayla Oliveira; Megan Macleod, a fourth-year student of concurrent education and French; and Radha Kanumuri, a masters in medical biotechnology major.

Kanumuri says she is delighted with being recognized for her academic achievement and community involvement.

“Platforms like this are invaluable for connecting with fellow scholars, encouraging collaboration, and driving meaningful contributions to science and society,” she says. “This recognition motivates me to strive for excellence, broaden my horizons, and support the community through meaningful work.”

The society will hold its annual new member recognition event on Monday, Feb. 10. Members should check their inbox for the invitation and RSVP as soon as possible.

To learn more about Golden Key, visit www.goldenkey.org.

Sara Fontaine, Justin Raisbeck, and Kaitlyn KarnsAlumni Sara Fontaine, Justin Raisbeck, and Kaitlyn Karns will join the Windsor Symphony Orchestra for performances of Broadway music this weekend.

Broadway Bunch bringing alumni and students together with orchestra

This weekend, UWindsor students and alumni take centre stage with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra for two Broadway musical themed performances. Audiences will hear selections from Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George and Company, Alan Menken’s The Little Mermaid, Stephen Schwartz’s Wicked and Pippin, and more.

Alumni Sara Fontaine, Kaitlyn Karns, and Justin Raisbeck, are the Broadway Bunch -- trained theatre vocalists and musicians from the Windsor area coming together to create professional and powerful entertainment. The group was formed in 2016 and has a strong community following, selling out its last show in October. All three are excited to perform with maestro Robert Franz and the Windsor Symphony Orchestra.

Adding to the vocal power is the 55-member University of Windsor Singers directed by Bruce Kotowich. Students from across campus take this course as an elective. For many, this will be their first experience performing with a professional orchestra.

UWindsor alumni and instructors are also among the instrumentalists, including concert master Lillian Scheirich; Robert Fazecash and Phil Seguin, trumpets; Trevor Pittman, clarinet; Corey MacKay and Michael Stone, trombones; and pianist Michael Karloff.

The Broadway Bunch concerts are 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9, at the Capitol Theatre, 121 University Ave. West. Buy tickets online or call the WSO Box Office at 519-973-1238, ext. 2.

participants in experiential learning workshopThe Feb. 25 EL Café will build a community of practice for experiential learning.

Faculty invited to register for Experiential Learning Café

Faculty members are invited to the join the upcoming EL Café, hosted by the Office of Experiential Learning on Tuesday, Feb. 25, from 9 to 11 a.m. in Alumni Hall’s McPherson Lounge.

The event is designed to foster collaboration, share insights, and create a community of practice for experiential learning (EL) at the University of Windsor. Faculty members who are interested in adding experiential learning elements to their courses or are already incorporating are encouraged to attend to learn about:

  • Updates on funding opportunities and the latest funding options for EL courses through the Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada iHub;
  • A faculty spotlight on criminology professor Amy Fitzgerald who will share best practices from her EL course, involving an 85-hour field placement with a variety of organizations; and
  • A support and brainstorming session where guests will dive into strategies for developing community partnerships to enhance EL courses.

Faculty members can register here by Monday, Feb. 10, to secure a spot.

Coffee, tea, and light refreshments will be provided.

Open Education Week logoThe Open Education Week conference will run from March 3 to 6.

Registration launched for Open Education Week conference

The Office of Open Learning has launched the registration page for the Open Education Week conference. This free event will run from March 3 to 6 with presentations streaming online for anyone to attend.

“We have a great set of speakers from a variety of institutions, covering topics such as Indigenization, artificial intelligence, diversity and inclusion, open education, open educational resources, and more,” says Mark Lubrick, the event co-ordinator. “You can register for any individual session that catches your interest.”

More sessions will be added over time, so check the site regularly and share with anyone who might be interested.