The Impact of Work Stress on Doctor’s Performance through Employee Engagement and Moderation of the COVID-19 Pandemic (Study on Primary Health Care)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Doctors at primary health care are prone to have work stress and it can affect their performance. Employee engagement may have close relationship with the doctor’s performance during the COVID-19 pandemic. AIM: This study aims to determine the relationship between work stress and the doctor’s performance at primary health care using employee engagement mediation and COVID-19 pandemic moderation. METHODS: This research is a descriptive study using a quantitative approach which was conducted on 354 doctors at Malang primary health care. The questionnaire was analyzed using partial least square. RESULTS: The work stress had a significant positive effect on the doctor’s performances (β = 0.257, t-stat = 3.324). Work stress has a significant positive effect on employee engagement (β = 0.726, t-stat = 22,967). Employee engagement does not significantly affect the doctor’s performance (β = 0.044, t-stat 0.105). Employee engagement does not mediate the work stress effect on doctor’s performance (β = 0.032, t-stat = 0.105). The COVID-19 pandemic did not moderate the work stress effect on doctors’ performance (β = −0.222, t-stat = 0.981). CONCLUSION: Primary health care leaders still need to pay attention to factors that can reduce the doctor’s performance and employee engagement, include factors that can increase the work stress during the COVID-19 Pandemic.