Work motivation : a brief review of theories underpinning health promotion

• Motivating people is an important issue for physiotherapists working with health promotion, aiming at maintaining and strengthening resources for health. The aim of this literature review is to describe the theoretical foundations for how to improve work motivation, and from that suggest strategies that can be used by physiotherapists in health promotion. The databases MEDLINE and Psychlit were searched for theories of importance for work motivation. Thirteen theories were found: seven were exogenous theories, focusing on aspects that can be changed by external agents; six were endogenous theories, dealing with more internal psychological aspects of motivation. Key strategies that can be used by physiotherapists in health promotion to improve work motivation were indentified: design attractive, interesting, satisfying jobs; support workers in defining specific, clear, attractive and difficult but attainable goals; focus on feedback and rewards; support workers' goal attainment; support workers' self-efficacy; establish ethical rules and norms for acceptable behaviour at work; balance workers' job demands and individual capacities; and, support workers in making priorities in work.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Sjukgymnastik (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Physiotherapy (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)