Engagement in General Practice

ABSTRACT

Work engagement has been associated with better performance, low levels of burnout, and good mental and physical health. Therefore, employee characteristics associated with high degree of engagement are important for organisations that are trying to improve work productivity. Such data on general practitioners has been lacking. This study aimed to evaluate work engagement amongst general practitioners in outpatient clinics in Brunei Darussalam, expressed in the 3 dimensions of engagement, and to determine any association between age, sex, duration of prior employment and nationality, and engagement. The study instrument was the UWES- 17 questionnaire with a page attached for respondents to state the demographic details of interest. The response rate was 65%. The proportion of respondents who scored high or very high in at least one dimension was only 35%. Only 20% of respondents scored high or very high in all 3 dimensions. Characteristics associated with high or very high scores were the age group 51-60 years, male sex, nationals of other countries, and longer duration of prior service. The reasons for the low rate, and the observed associations should be explored further, so that steps can be taken to promote engagement to improve work productivity and performance.