Objectives

To evaluate work engagement rates among medical residents in pediatrics.

Methods

Data was collected from a sample of 36 professionals enrolled in residency programs in pediatrics at the Medical School of São José do Rio Preto from September 2013 to February 2014, using the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (Uwes), featuring seventeen items for self assessment and three dimensions: vigor, dedication, and absorption, and an overall score for the construct.

Results

91.67% were female, the median age was 28 years (minimum: 25, maximum: 34), 86.11% single, 33.33% had a family income of 2-5 monthly wages and 44.44% over 10 minimum wages, 88.89% were satisfied with their work and 52.78% were considering quitting the program. The engagement of the indexes ranged from 3.56 to 4.28. Dedication was high (4.28 ± 1.12), while Absorption, Vigor, and Engagement, were medium (3.58 ± 1.00, 3.56 ± 0.98 and 3.78 ± 0.96). Regarding the desire to withdraw from the program, both groups revealed average rates for Absorption and Vigor; while Dedication and Engagement rates were average among those to have considered quitting the program, and high among those who had never thought about quitting. In terms of satisfaction with the program, Dedication indexes were high for those happy on the residency and medium for those not satisfied (4.49 and 2.6). Absorption, Vigor, and Engagement rates were average for both groups – 3.66, 3.68, and 3.92 among satisfied residents and 2.95, 2.54, and 2.7 among those not satisfied, respectively.

Conclusion

Pediatrics residents at the Medical School of São José do Rio Preto revealed sound levels of engagement, particularly in terms of Dedication. A low percentage of professionals was revealed to have low engagement rates across all areas of the Uwes.

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