ASSESSMENT ON THE TRENDS OF EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT AND ITS ANTECEDENTS: THE CASE OF YEKATIT 12 HOSPITAL MEDICAL COLLEGES

Abstract

As the delivery of health care is a complex process, it often requires high level of engagement of the healthcare providers especially the Multidisciplinary team engagement in order for the healthcare service to be delivered in such a way that it proves the positive outcomes of patients. The purpose of this study therefore, was to assess the multidisciplinary team engagement trend and engagement antecedents of Yekatit 12 Hospital Medical College. The study tried to assess the trend of Multidisciplinary team engagement in general with emphasis given to antecedents based on Kahn’s model of employee engagement. Descriptive type of research design with mixed approach was used. To select specific sample employees, proportionate stratified sampling technique was applied. Among the total target of 716 respondents, the sample size of the study taken as 399 health care providers which comprises of Senior Physicians, general practitioners, pharmacists and Nurses. From 399 distributed questionnaires 367 of them were correctly filled and returned from respondents. Qualitative data obtained using interviews from the management team members have been triangulated together with quantitative data. The study showed that the level of engagement of the multidisciplinary team was low with the aggregate mean value 3.23. The aggregate mean values found from the antecedents namely reward and recognition practice, perceived organizational and supervisor support, work environment and internal locus of control were also 2.69, 2.49,2.71,2.80 and 3.07 indicating that there is a poor reward and recognition practice, poor organizational and supervisor supports, non-conducive working environment. T h e moderate aggregate mean value obtained from Job characteristics which is 3.50 indicates that skill variety, task identity, task significance, autonomy, and feedback are the core characteristics of the health care. A communication gap between the management and stuffs was also identified from the interview. Among others, the researcher recommends that the Hospital as an independent organization and the governmental bodies of the healthcare sector should identify what causes the disengagement in the organizational level and act on those factors accordingly. Policy makers should also observe the entire healthcare system to make improvements so that to increase the engagement level of healthcare providers.