The relationship between work and home characteristics and work engagement in medical residents.

Hanne Verweij,Anne E M Speckens,Anne E M Speckens,Anne E M Speckens,Madelon L M Van Hooff,Antoine L M Lagro-Janssen,Frank M M A Van Der Heijden,Hiske Van Ravesteijn,Jelle T Prins

doi:10.1007/s40037-017-0364-y

Abstract

IntroductionWork engagement is important for medical residents and the healthcare organizations they work for. However, relatively little is known about the specific predictors of work engagement in medical residents. Therefore, we examined the associations of work and home characteristics, and work-home interference with work engagement in male and female residents.MethodsThis study was conducted on a nationwide sample of medical residents. In 2005, all Dutch medical residents (n = 5245) received a self-report questionnaire. Path analysis was used to examine the associations between the potential predictors and work engagement.ResultsIn total, 2115 (41.1%) residents completed the questionnaire. Job characteristics, home characteristics and work-home interference were associated with work engagement. Important positive contributing factors of work engagement were opportunities for job development, mental demands at work, positive work-home interference and positive home-work interference. Important negative contributing factors were emotional demands at work and negative home-work interference. The influence of these factors on work engagement was similar in male and female residents.DiscussionOpportunities for job development and having challenging work are of high relevance in enhancing work engagement. Furthermore, interventions that teach how to deal skilfully with emotional demands at work and home-work interference are expected to be the most effective interventions to enhance work engagement in medical residents.

Highlights

Work engagement is important for medical residents and the healthcare organizations they work for
We developed a model and examined the associations between the specific work and home demands and resources and the four types of work-home interference on the one hand, and the three work engagement subscales on the other hand
In Model 3 (M3), we extended M2 by including the interactions between job demands and job resources, in order to examine the proposition of the Job Demands and Resources model that demands moderate the association between resources and engagement [33]

Summary

Introduction

Work engagement is important for medical residents and the healthcare organizations they work for. Relatively little is known about the specific predictors of work engagement in medical residents. Medical residents are engaged in their work [1]. Work engagement is related to being more committed to the organization, having less turnover intentions, more satisfied clients and better financial outcomes [3, 4]. Within the medical sector work engagement is related to making fewer medical errors. Job demands and work pressure are high in hospitals, and stress and burnout are common in medical residents, one-fourth of the residents can still be characterized as highly engaged [1]. Why are some residents more engaged in their work than others? How can we increase work engagement in medical residents? Why are some residents more engaged in their work than others? How can we increase work engagement in medical residents? In order to stimulate work engagement in medical residents, we should gain a better understanding of potential contributors of work engagement in this specific population

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion