Kroezen, MariekeDussault, GillesCraveiro, IsabelDieleman, MarjoleinJansen, ChristelBuchan, JamesBarriball, LouiseRafferty, Anne MarieBremner, JeniSermeus, Walter2018-07-202018-07-202015-12Kroezen, M., Dussault, G., Craveiro, I., Dieleman, M., Jansen, C., Buchan, J., Barriball, L., Rafferty, A.M., Bremner, J. and Sermeus, W. (2015) ‘Recruitment and retention of health professionals across Europe: A literature review and multiple case study research’, Health Policy, 119(12), pp. 1517–1528. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthpol.2015.08.003.1688510https://eresearch.qmu.ac.uk/handle/20.500.12289/4021http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.healthpol.2015.08.003Many European countries are faced with health workforce shortages and the need to develop effective recruitment and retention (R&R) strategies. Yet comparative studies on R&R in Europe are scarce. This paper provides an overview of the measures in place to improve the R&R of health professionals across Europe and offers further insight into the evidence base for R&R; the interaction between policy and organisational levels in driving R&R outcomes; the facilitators and barriers throughout these process; and good practices in the R&R of health professionals across Europe. The study adopted a multi-method approach combining an extensive literature review and multiple-case study research. 64 publications were included in the review and 34 R&R interventions from 20 European countries were included in the multiple-case study. We found a consistent lack of evidence about the effectiveness of R&R interventions. Most interventions are not explicitly part of a coherent package of measures but they tend to involve multiple actors from policy and organisational levels, sometimes in complex configurations. A list of good practices for R&R interventions was identified, including context-sensitivity when implementing and transferring interventions to different organisations and countries. While single R&R interventions on their own have little impact, bundles of interventions are more effective. Interventions backed by political and executive commitment benefit from a strong support base and involvement of relevant stakeholders. © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd.1517-1528articledoi:10.1016/j.healthpol.2015.08.003