Barriers and Facilitators of Voluntary Participation by Health Care Personnel During Crises: A Qualitative Interview Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the barriers and facilitators influencing voluntary participation in health care crises. METHODS: This qualitative and exploratory study was conducted in 2025 at governmental health care centers in eastern Iran. Data were collected through a series of unstructured interviews. Stratified, purposeful, and snowball sampling were employed. Data analysis was performed using the qualitative thematic analysis approach as outlined by Braun and Clarke. RESULTS: Data saturation was achieved after conducting interviews with 14 participants. Barriers to voluntary participation among health care personnel were organized into four primary themes: Physical, Psychological, and Emotional Challenges; Organizational Issues; Financial and Material Constraints; and Family, Social, and Cultural Concerns. Conversely, facilitators promoting voluntary participation were classified into 5 main themes: Intrinsic Motivation, Values, and Personal Characteristics; Cultural, Social, and Family Support; Organizational Support and Leadership; Experience and Skills; and Material and Financial Incentives. CONCLUSIONS: Barriers and facilitators varied across clinical and paramedical professions, with differences also noted between physicians and nurses. The negative impact of closed, autocratic, and non-transparent organizations highlighted the importance of an open, accountable, and equitable environment in promoting voluntary engagement.