Abstract
BACKGROUND: High-level talents in medical and health professions (HLT-MHP) are essential for the sustainable development of healthcare. However, the industry persistently faces a talent shortage, such as inadequate talent development and difficulty in reflecting the value of talent. Focusing on the career success of HLT-MHP and investigating the factors that influence it can provide a significant reference point for the cultivation and development of talent within the healthcare sector. This study aims to describe the current state of calling, person–organization fit, and career success among HLT-MHP; investigate the relationships between these three factors; and ascertain the mediating role of calling between career success and person–organization fit. METHODS: In this study, 391 HLT-MHP from 125 medical institutions, 5 universities, and 1 research institute in Hunan Province, China were selected by convenience sampling from April to June 2024. The participants were surveyed using a general information questionnaire, a person–organization fit scale, a calling scale, and a career success scale. The relationships between person–organization fit, calling, and career success were explored. Additionally, the mediating role of calling between person–organization fit and career success was examined using SPSS 25.0. RESULTS: The average total scores for person–organization fit, calling, and career success were 36.47 (SD 5.15), 49.73 (SD 6.78), and 41.27 (SD 6.98), respectively, all of which were at a moderately high level. Person–organization fit (r = 0.660, P < 0.001) and calling (r = 0.577, P < 0.001) were positively correlated with career success. Bootstrap test results showed that the mediating effect of calling on person–organization fit and career success was 0.129 [95% CI (0.036–0.217), P < 0.001], accounting for 22.05% of the total effect value. CONCLUSIONS: The person–organization fit of HLT-MHP is indirectly associated with career success through calling. Pertinent managers are advised to focus on the interaction between the three factors; enhance the working environment; establish a secure, effective, and harmonious workplace; increase employee support; recognize potential hires; meet their work needs; and assist them in succeeding.