An assessment of emotional intelligence in emergency medicine resident physicians

Abstract

ObjectivesTo define the emotional intelligence (EI) profile of emergency medicine (EM) residents, and identify resident EI strengths and weaknesses. MethodsFirst-, second-, and third-year residents (post-graduate years [PGY] 1, 2, and 3, respectively) of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital’s EM Program completed the Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ-i 2.0), a validated instrument offered by Multi-Health Systems. Reported scores included total mean EI, 5 composite scores, and 15 subscales of EI. Scores are reported as means with 95% CIs. The unpaired, two-sample t-test was used to evaluate differences in means. ResultsThirty-five residents completed the assessment (response rate 97.2%). Scores were normed to the general population (mean 100, SD 15). Total mean EI for the cohort was 103 (95%CI,100-108). EI was higher in female (107) than male (101) residents. PGY-2s demonstrated the lowest mean EI (95) versus PGY-1s (104) and PGY-3s (110). The difference in PGY-3 EI (110; 95%CI,103-116) and PGY-1 EI (95, 95%CI,87-104) was statistically significant (unpaired t-test, p<0.01). Highest composite scores were in interpersonal skills (107; 95%CI,100-108) and stress management (105; 95%CI,101-109). Subscale cohort strengths included self-actualization (107); empathy (107); interpersonal relationships (106); impulse control (106); and stress tolerance (106). Lowest subscale score was in assertiveness (98). Self-regard (89), assertiveness (88), and independence (90) were areas in which PGY-2s attained relatively lower scores (unpaired t-test, p<0.05) compared to their peers and the general population. PGY-3’s scored highest in nearly all subscales. ConclusionsThe EQ-i offers insight into training that may assist in developing EM residents, specifically in self-regard, assertiveness, and self-expression. Further study is required to ascertain if patterns in level of training are idiosyncratic or relate to the natural maturation of residents.

A Workshop to Reflect on Personal Resilience in Emergency Medicine Residents: Applying the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, Visual Explorer, and the Critical Incident Questionnaire to Support Introspection

“…This is an interesting finding as previous studies had found that burnout tends to be especially prevalent in the early years of training, particularly in the transition from end of PGY-1 year into PGY-2 [ 6 ] . Another study had found that PGY-2 residents had lowest scores on an Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ-i) compared to their peers [ 7 ]. If their resilience score being low was consistent with a level of burnout this would be consistent with those studies.…”

Emotional intelligence and burnout among medical officers of twin cities in Pakistan

“…1 An assessment of EI in emergency medicine residents suggested that EI was higher in females (107) than the males (101). 2 Comparative study on EI and quality of care practices by nurses and doctors towards their patients concluded that patients perceived their medical officers (MOs) as having more EI than the nurses. 3 EI is a solid forecaster of a medical residents' wellbeing.…”

Relación médico-paciente e inteligencia emocional, un reto en la educación médica

“…La Inteligencia Emocional (IE) es definida como la habilidad de percibir e identificar tanto las emociones propias como las ajenas, utilizando dicha información para guiar el pensamiento y actuar en consecuencia. Existen, por lo tanto, cuatro competencias principalmente relacionadas: 1) la capacidad para percibir emociones; 2) usar las emociones para facilitar el pensamiento; 3) comprender las emociones, y 4) manejar las mismas (2).…”