Work engagement in public primary healthcare centers: psychometric analysis of a scale for its evaluation

Purpose This study aims to validate the 17-item Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-17) within Public Primary Healthcare Centers, addressing the need for a reliable measure of work engagement among health workers. Design/methodology/approach This study conducted a validity and reliability analysis of the UWES-17 among community health workers in Chile, exploring its psychometric properties and structure, focusing on its three-factor structure and examining the causal relationships between work engagement dimensions. Findings The UWES-17 demonstrated a valid and reliable three-factor structure among Chilean health workers, with a significant construct dependence among its dimensions –vigor, dedication and absorption – highlighting their interrelated nature. Research limitations/implications While validated for community health workers in Chile, the UWES-17’s applicability across healthcare settings and professions warrants further investigation. Practical implications The validated UWES-17 can guide human resource practices in assessing and enhancing work engagement among health workers, potentially improving employee well-being and performance. Social implications Addressing work engagement and burnout among health workers is vital for a resilient healthcare system. This validated measure contributes to efforts to improve health worker well-being and healthcare service quality. Originality/value This study contributes a validated measure of work engagement specifically tailored to public primary healthcare centers, offering valuable insights for future research on health workers' well-being and performance. This research enhances the understanding of organizational dynamics within public healthcare settings.