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Physicians' emotional intelligence and patient satisfaction
Peggy J Wagner1, Ginger C Moseley, Michael M Grant
1Department of Family Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta 30912, USA. pwagner@mail.mcg.edu
Background And Objectives:
This study investigated the relationship between patient satisfaction and physicians' scores on a test of emotional intelligence.
Methods:
Faculty and resident physicians at a southern medical school completed the Bar-On Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQi). Patient subjects were recruited at the conclusion of an office visit and completed a patient satisfaction survey. Spearman rank order correlations and t tests were used to examine the relationship between global, composite, and subscale scores on the EQi and patient satisfaction. Race, gender, and resident/faculty status were compared via t tests.
Results:
When patient satisfaction scores were used to dichotomize physicians into two groups, those with 100% satisfied patients and those with less than 100% satisfaction, only one subscale of EQi, "happiness," was related to higher satisfaction.
Conclusions:
Findings suggest a limited relationship between physicians'scores on a test of emotional intelligence and patient satisfaction. Implications for physician training programs are offered in light of recent focus on physician-patient communication in medical education. Application of emotional intelligence concepts to physician skills and patient attitudes needs further research that may lead to further educational opportunities.