Empirical Validation of Emotional Intelligence in Health Settings

Abstract

This study based on the application of emotional intelligence to a healthcare setup. In the course of the last two decades, the skill set of EI is being accepted by more and more professional fields. In healthcare the doctors have to handle people’s emotions with a rational approach. They have to comfort the pateient’s family and also take utmost care of the patient’s needs. The resulting stress and burnout can have a negative impact on their personal life. Emotional intelligence can help keep up this balance and also improve patient-doctor relationships. This study aims to assess the emotional quotient of medical practitioners. It also analyses various demographic parameters that influence emotional intelligence in general and its sub-components individually. The findings of the study help in undersatnding the various dimensions of EI and how they are essential for medical professionals, which have been identified to have a significant impact on doctor-patient relationship, effectiveness of treatment and health communication. The responses of doctors were collected using an emotional intellignece scale constructed with self awareness; self regulation; self motivation, social awareness and social skills as the dimensions. The study found significant relationship between the emotional intelligence scale dimensions, perceived emotional quotient and interpersonal relationships. The dimensions of emotional intelligence: self awareness, self regulation, self motivation and social skills explained 62.5% significant proportion of variance in emotional intelligence. Self awareness, self regulation, self motivation, social skills and interpersonal relationships were found to be the most significant predictors of emotional intelligence.