Work environment assessment at a medical school

The work environment of an organization has to do with a set of permanent qualities that are experienced by its members. To assess the work environment perception of faculty members of a Medical School in two different periods (2005 and 2007). A standardized survey was applied to faculty members and Department chairs of the academic units of our Medical School. The survey used the Likert scale from 1 to 5 and included 59 items, distributed in 8 factors. Additionally, there were two groups of statements, indicating the priorities for the School and for the academic departments. In the study performed in year 2005, the survey was answered by a total of 399 faculty members (68%) and in year 2007, it was answered by 408 members (68%). The global climate perceptions were 66% and 68% in 2005 and 2007, respectively (ns). Among the dimensions evaluated, communications (p =0,62) and physical conditions (p =0,008) improved in the two years period. The applied instrument was stable and useful to knowing the requirements of the faculty members and for improving the organizational climate.