Workplace flow among clinical residents and professors

Flow is a state of mind characterized by intense focus, enjoyment, and complete absorption in an activity. While researchers have demonstrated the existence of flow experiences in various contexts, such as artistic, sports, and work activities, the specific factors influencing work-related flow in different professional groups remain understudied. This study aims to investigate the average index of work-related flow among professors and residents at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, and to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Work-related Flow Inventory (WOLF) in this population. This cross-sectional study was conducted on clinical residents and professors at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Participants were selected using a weighted stratified sampling method from a population of 1200 individuals, which included 400 professors and 800 residents. Work-related flow was assessed using the WOLF. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed to examine the factor structure of the WOLF. The model was estimated using the Maximum Likelihood (ML) method. Descriptive statistics, including mean, standard deviation, and frequency distributions, were used to summarize the data. Inferential statistics included the Mann-Whitney test for two-group comparisons, the Kruskal-Wallis test for comparisons between more than two groups, and Spearman's correlation coefficient to examine the relationship between continuous variables. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. A total of 334 participants were included in this study, comprising 104 professors and 230 residents. The overall mean score for work-related flow among professors and residents at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences was 43.31 ± 9.7. The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) results indicated that the three-factor model of the WOLF questionnaire demonstrated a good fit to the data. There is a significant positive correlation between the Absorption dimension and the Work Enjoyment (r = 0.660, p < 0.001) and Intrinsic Work Motivation (r = 0.587, p < 0.001) dimensions. Also, there was a significant positive correlation between the Work Enjoyment and Intrinsic Work Motivation dimensions (r = 0.744, p < 0.001).Statistical analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between participant age and their average work-related flow score (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the mean work-related flow score was significantly higher in male participants compared to female participants, in married individuals compared to single individuals, and in professors compared to residents. The results also indicated that the specialized field of practice significantly influenced work-related flow scores, with general surgery exhibiting the highest scores and obstetrics and gynecology the lowest. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that work-related flow among clinical professors and residents at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences is subject to significant variation, influenced by factors such as gender, age, and specialized field of practice. Furthermore, the WOLF demonstrated acceptable psychometric properties in this Iranian sample, supporting its use in assessing work-related flow in this population.