Emotional Intelligence Among Medical Students and Residents in Palestine: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: In medical education and clinical practice, emotional intelligence (EI) has been related to improved doctor-patient relationships. Here, EI was measured among Palestinian medical stu-dents in two stages of their studies, clinical and basic sciences, and factors that may affect it were assessed. Moreover, EI scores were compared between participating universities to detect possible differences. Methods: A quantitative, cross-sectional, questionnaire-based, online survey was conducted on 692 medical students attending Al-Quds and Al-Najah Universities in Palestine. Emotional intel-ligence was evaluated using the 33-item scale introduced by Schutte et al. (1998). Data was ana-lyzed in a quantitative manner using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (Ver. 20.0). Results: The mean EI was 3.83 (SD=0.41) out of maximum possible score of 5, with 69.1% hav-ing high EI (>3.68). EI decreased significantly at α[?]0.05 across basic and clinical stages of study, with a negative correlation between EI and academic year (PCC= -0.086). This indicates that as academic year increases, EI decreases (p=0.023). Moreover, EI is affected positively and signifi-cantly at α[?]0.05 by having a hobby or doing extracurricular activities.In addition, students who indicate continual regret for studying medicine tend to have lower EI, which may reflect a lack of interest in studying this field. Conclusion: The study found no significant differences in mean EI at α [?]0.05 between the students of Al-Quds (mean=3.83) and Al-Najah universities (mean=3.84). At these universities, par-ticipating medical students, both male and female, had relatively high levels of emotional intelli-gence. Students in the clinical stage had lower EI than those in the basic sciences stage, which indicates a conflict between objectivity and humanity while training clinically. Therefore, emo-tional support during clinical years would aid in improving EI. Moreover, EI being affected by hobbies or extracurricular activities indicates that EI can be modulated through encouragement of such activities. WHAT'S KNOWN? (what is already known about this subject?)EI is a very important parameter in doctor's life, it is associated with improved physical and psychological health, leads to better stress coping, lowers burnout, creates effective teamwork between medical staff. Higher EI also enhances leadership and improves doctor-patient relationship. Specifically, EI among medical students was previously studies and was shown to be affected by their stage of study. WHAT'S NEW? (what does this study contribute to the literature?)This study shows that EI among medical students in the sample tested declines as medical students progress from basic to clinical stage; the study find relationship between EI and hobbies, extracurricular activities and satisfaction in studying medicine. The study indicates that EI can be modulated through encouragement of such activities.

Emotional intelligence among medical students: a cross sectional study from central Kerala, India

“…A similar study conducted in the year of 2020 on emotional intelligence of medical students of Al Quds university by Bashair Ewaiwe showed similar finding. 20 findings. According to some researchers, people with higher SES are more self-sufficient because they are less dependent and are less inclined to seek help from others.…”