This Australian research identified 26 English-language papers published between 2002 and 2017 that focused on retention of Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing staff, or health staff in comparable roles working in Aboriginal health services. The work of Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing staff is essential for successful primary healthcare for Aboriginal communities, but is often compromised by high rates of stress, burnout, and staff turnover, impacting on primary healthcare delivery to Aboriginal peoples. This investigation explored organisational factors that help support the retention of Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing staff in Aboriginal Health services. Five key themes were found to contribute to the retention of Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing staff in Aboriginal Health Services: (1) feeling culturally safe and secure within the workplace; (2) teamwork and collaboration; (3) supervision (internal or external supervision with a counsellor outside the organisation), with strong managerial leadership and support from peers (to debrief, reflect, receive emotional support and strengthen coping mechanisms); (4) professional development (the opportunity for skill development and role progression), and; (5) recognition (of work load, quality of work performed, being trusted to work autonomously, with financial remuneration reflecting the high pressure of the role).
