BACKGROUND : Tamil N?du is the one of the states having more number of doctors than WHO ratio 1: 1000, yet specialists
and GDMOS shortage in community health centers is a continuous pattern of rural health statistics from the year 2015
despite many policies.
OBJECTIVES : The study efforts to analyze the ERG (Existential, Relatedness and Growth) needs of doctors in relation
with the turnover intention and to investigate the moderating effect of socio-demographic variables on the relationship
between ERG dimensions and turnover intention.
METHODS : Structured questionnaire representing Existential, Relatedness and Growth needs was designed based on
the review of the literature. Hypotheses have been set for the investigation to test the relationship and investigate the
moderating effects of age, gender, years spent in a rural area, marital status, years of service and future location choice.
RESULTS : A negative association was discovered between ERG needs and turnover intention. Absence of 'Growth needs'
was shown to be the most crucial predictor of rural CHC doctors' turnover intention. The relationship between ERG
motivation and turnover intention is influenced by doctors' marital status, childhood years spent in rural areas, and future
location choices.
CONCLUSION : Identif ying these aspects will enable policymakers, academics, and public health practitioners to devise
rural retention strategies for doctors.