Work happiness and engagement in primary health care

Authors

  • Sara Cunha Médica Interna de Medicina Geral e Familiar. USF Oceanos, ACeS Matosinhos.
  • Céline Gama Médica Interna de Medicina Geral e Familiar. USF Oceanos, ACeS Matosinhos.
  • Marta Fevereiro Médica Interna de Medicina Geral e Familiar. USF do Mar, ACeS Grande Porto IV.
  • Adriana Vasconcelos Médica Interna de Medicina Geral e Familiar. USF do Mar, ACeS Grande Porto IV.
  • Sophie Sousa Médica Interna de Medicina Geral e Familiar. USF Oceanos, ACeS Matosinhos.
  • Ana Cristina Neves Médica Interna de Medicina Geral e Familiar. USF do Mar, ACeS Grande Porto IV.
  • Joana Casanova Médica Assistente de Medicina Geral e Familiar. USF Oceanos, ACeS Matosinhos.
  • Maria José Teixeira Secretária Clínica. USF Oceanos, ACeS Matosinhos.
  • Sandra Rodrigues Médica Assistente de Medicina Geral e Familiar. USF do Mar, ACeS Grande Porto IV.
  • Susana Ribeira Médica Assistente de Medicina Geral e Familiar. USF Oceanos, ACeS Matosinhos.
  • J. Firmino-Machado Médico Interno de Saúde Pública. ACeS Porto Ocidental.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32385/rpmgf.v34i1.12360

Keywords:

Work, Happiness, Primary health care, Job satisfaction, Occupational health.

Abstract

Objectives: To test the association between psychological well-being (PWB) and health-care professionals’ work engagement. Type of Study: Cross-sectional analytical study. Setting: Matosinhos Group of Health Centers and Grande Porto IV Group of Health Centers. Population: Healthcare professionals from the two Groups of Health Centers. Methods: We used the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire (OHQ) and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES), validated for the Portuguese language, to evaluate the PWB and work engagement, respectively. Using a multiple linear regression model, we tested the relation between PWB and work engagement, controlling for several confounding variables. Results: Between the professionals, 52.5% are happy or quite happy and 45.5% show a high engagement level. There is a significant correlation between both scales (r=0.32, pp<0.05). This correlation is maintained even when controlled for confounding variables (β=0.621, CI95% [0.423-0.818]). Age and years of work are correlated with the UWES (r=0.16, p=0.008 and r=0.16, p=0.010) and with the OHQ (r=-0.14, p=0.02 and r=-0.13, p=0.03). Conclusions: The correlation found between PWB and engagement was expected by the current literature. Higher age and service time correlate with engagement, as seen in previous studies, but to lower PWB. This study approaches an important theme in the Primary Health Care field, suggesting the implementation of strategies that promote personal and team development.

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Published

2018-02-01

Issue

Vol. 34 No. 1 (2018): Revista Portuguesa de Medicina Geral e Familiar

Section

Original Research

License

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How to Cite

Work happiness and engagement in primary health care. (2018). Portuguese Journal of Family Medicine and General Practice, 34(1), 26-32. https://doi.org/10.32385/rpmgf.v34i1.12360