Model for Leaders to Strengthen Physician Organizational Commitment: Based on A.O. Hirschman’s Exit, Voice, and Loyalty

Abstract

Healthcare in the United States continues to face myriad challenges post-COVID, and institutions are at risk of organizational decline. A. O. Hirschman, one of many economists who have studied organizational decline, outlined several responses to organizational decline, collectively known as exit, voice, and loyalty (EVL). This article attempts to apply the EVL model to today’s health systems. We found that physician leaders are well positioned to evaluate physician peer attitudes and behaviors in today’s healthcare environments and can leverage Hirschman’s postulates to improve organizational resiliency and outcomes.