title: Work engagement in cancer care: The power of co-worker and supervisor support.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Co-worker and supervisor support can provide knowledge, advice and expertise which may improve motivation, confidence and skills. This exploratory study aimed to examine the association of co-worker and supervisor support, and other socio-demographic and practice variables with work engagement for cancer workers.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study surveyed 573 cancer workers in Queensland (response rate 56%). Study participants completed surveys containing demographics and psychosocial questionnaires measuring work engagement, co-worker and supervisor support. Of these respondents, a total of 553 responded to the items measuring work engagement and this forms the basis for the present analyses. Oncology nurses represented the largest professional group (37%) followed by radiation therapists (22%). About 54% of the workforce was aged >35 years and 81% were female. Multiple regression analysis was performed to identify explanatory variables independently associated with work engagement for cancer workers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After adjusting for the effects of other factors, co-worker and supervisor support were both significantly associated with work engagement. Having 16 years or more experience, being directly involved in patient care, having children and not being a shift worker were positively associated with work engagement. Annual absenteeism of six days or more was associated with low work engagement. The fitted model explained 23% of the total variability in work engagement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study emphasises that health care managers need to promote co-worker and supervisor support in order to optimise work engagement with special attention to those who are not directly involved in patient care.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cancer Services, Princess Alexandra Hospital, QLD, Australia; Radiation Oncology Mater Centre, University of Queensland, Australia. Electronic address: michael.poulsen@health.qld.gov.au.
authors.forename: Michael G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Poulsen
authors.affiliation: School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia. Electronic address: a.khan2@uq.edu.au.
authors.forename: Asaduzzaman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia. Electronic address: e.poulsen@uq.edu.au.
authors.forename: Emma E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Poulsen
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, QLD, Australia. Electronic address: shanchita.khan@qut.edu.au.
authors.forename: Shanchita R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia. Electronic address: a.poulsen@uq.edu.au.
authors.forename: Anne A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Poulsen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009745:Nursing, Supervisory; D009859:Oncology Nursing; D011793:Queensland; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Co-worker support; Health professionals; Oncology; Supervisor support; Work engagement