Emotional intelligence and the relationship to resident performance: a multi-institutional study.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Psychology

Background:

• Assessing resident performance is crucial in medical education.
• Emotional intelligence (EI) is increasingly recognized for its impact on professional success.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between emotional intelligence, measured by the BarOn Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ-i:125), and anesthesiology resident performance.
• To determine if EI can serve as a predictor of resident success.

Main Methods:

• A survey design using the BarOn EQ-i:125 was administered to postgraduate year 2, 3, and 4 anesthesiology residents across five U.S. academic programs.
• Resident performance data were obtained from daily faculty evaluations.
• Data from the EQ-i:125 were correlated with resident performance evaluations using univariate and multivariate canonical analyses.

Main Results:

• Univariate correlation analysis revealed significant relationships between certain aspects of the BarOn EQ-i:125 and resident performance.
• Multivariate canonical analysis indicated that specific EI components are likely predictors of resident performance.

Conclusions:

• Emotional intelligence, as assessed by the BarOn EQ-i personal inventory, demonstrates significant potential as an independent measure of anesthesiology resident performance.
• EI may offer valuable insights into a resident's overall effectiveness and suitability for the role.