Comparing emotional intelligence between would-be and practicing medical professionals of Kathmandu

Abstract

Background: Emotional intelligence is the ability to know and manage emotions. In Nepal, studies about emotional intelligence have rarely been conducted among medical professionals. Methods: A survey research was conducted using a convenient sample of 150 medical professionals including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and lab technicians from six hospitals of Kathmandu. The Assessing Emotions Scale (AES) was used to measure the emotional intelligence of the participants. Results: Practicing professionals (M=113.17, SD=17.41) and would-be (i.e. interns) professionals (M=124.55, SD=6.41) were compared, t(148)=-5.433, p<0.05. There was a difference in emotional intelligence level between them. Conclusions: Emotional intelligence is affected by gender, religion, and education of medical professionals. Practicing professionals are more emotionally intelligent than would-be professionals. Practicing professionals are similar to would-be professionals in terms of the perception of emotion but different in terms of emotion management, social skills, and utilization of emotions.