Occupational stress and engagement in primary health care workers

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate levels of occupational stress and work engagement among primary health care workers. Method: A descriptive, correlational and transversal study was carried out in a small municipality in the countryside of São Paulo, with a non-probabilistic sample of convenience, with 85 workers. Three self-applied instruments were used: one developed by researchers, containing sociodemographic variables; Work Stress Scale (WSS) and Utrech Work Engagement Scale (UWES). Results: Prevalence of women (72.6%), 40 years old or more (45.9%), 4 years and 4 months of mean working time in primary care. Thirty-one workers (36.5%) presented significant stress (scores ≥2.5). Work engagement showed a mean of 4.1 (±1.2) to 4.4 (±1.4), classified as high in all dimensions. Occupational stress and work engagement correlated negatively. Conclusion: Workers presented high levels of work engagement; more than one-third had significant occupational stress. Workers with high levels of occupational stress tend to have lower work engagement.

Levels of engagement in primary health care professionals: a comparative study in two Brazilian municipalities

“…11,12,14 A study carried out in Açores, Portugal, with primary care nurses identified high levels of engagement among professionals, especially nurses, who had children and had a longer working time. 15 In Brazil, studies with PHC professionals pointed to high levels of worker engagement [16][17] , surpassing the indexes presented by other Brazilian professional groups as pediatric medical residents. 18 However, some groups presented lower rates, such as vector control agents, workers who are younger and single, evidencing a compromise in the relation of these workers.…”

“…18 However, some groups presented lower rates, such as vector control agents, workers who are younger and single, evidencing a compromise in the relation of these workers. 16 According to the literature, the implementation of activities considered significant for PHC professionals contributes to the development of engagement among the team, resulting in positive working relationships, better job performance and greater job satisfaction. 19 In this context, knowing the levels of engagement among primary health care professionals may support the implementation of reorganization actions of the Family Health teams' work processes, contributing to the improvement of the work of professionals, enhancing productivity, and the assistance offered to users.…”

Estresse ocupacional e engajamento em profissionais de saúde bucal

“…Os níveis de engajamento apresentados pelos profissionais de saúde bucal corroboram os resultados de estudo realizado com cirurgiões-dentistas indianos (9) e outros estudos, realizados no Brasil (30)(31)(32) e em Portugal (32) , com profissionais da APS. Estes estudos evidenciam que, apesar da presença de fatores estressantes, os profissionais estudados possuem energia, disposição, concentração, capacidade de esforço e persistência frente às dificuldades existentes no ambiente de trabalho.…”

Impact of continuing education on maternal and child health indicators

“…The specialization course analyzed in this paper assumed that participants would develop professional skills based on the responsibility to act from a viewpoint that considered the entire lifespan of users, with emphasis on the lines of care and connecting to the healthcare network to optimize the resources available for the effective care. However, despite the importance of this course in boosting indicators of maternal and child health, some overarching structural barriers that weaken the SUS and small-scale impediments that affect the activities of health professionals and the population's access to health services in the FHS must be examined more carefully; notable among these are occupational stress [34], especially with regard to working conditions [35], inadequate supplies and infrastructure [36], lack of staff, lack of medications, underfunding of programs, and the precarious socioeconomic conditions faced by the population [37,38].…”