Factors related to work engagement among healthcare professionals in critical care units: a systematic review

A comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing work engagement among healthcare professionals is essential for optimizing their performance. The aim of this review was to explore factors influencing the work engagement of healthcare professionals in intensive care units (ICU) and to clarify the relationships among these factors. This systematic review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD 42024538670) and was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines for reporting. A systematic search was conducted in April 2024 using PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Ichushi-Web databases. The search terms were “work engagement” and “intensive care unit.” Only papers where factors related to work engagement were investigated were included. Eighteen studies met the inclusion criteria for the final review, and a cross-sectional design was employed in 15 of them. Nurses were investigated in most studies ( n = 15), two focused on physicians, and a mixed group of nurses and doctors was examined in one. The factors influencing work engagement were categorized into four domains: individual factors (demographic, psychological, professional, and personal behavioral characteristics), work-related factors (organizational factors and workplace factors), outcomes, and interrelated factors. Multiple factors contribute to the work engagement of these professionals, highlighting the complexity of this phenomenon. ICU healthcare professionals experience significant physical and psychological stress due to the high acuity and complexity of patient care. The identified factors influencing work engagement could enhance engagement. Strengthening engagement necessitates a comprehensive understanding of these factors, coupled with careful consideration of the work environment.