Emotional intelligence in orthopedic surgery residents

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Psychology
• Orthopedic Surgery

Background:

• Emotional intelligence (EI) is crucial for managing emotions in self and others.
• EI is increasingly recognized for its potential to enhance clinical and academic performance in medicine.
• The role of EI in orthopedic surgery has not been previously investigated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate baseline emotional intelligence (EI) in a cohort of orthopedic surgery residents.
• To assess the level of EI competence among these residents.
• To explore potential associations between EI and demographic/training factors.

Main Methods:

• An electronic version of the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT) was administered to all orthopedic surgery residents at a single institution.
• Total EI scores and four branch scores were calculated from completed questionnaires.
• Data were analyzed for competence using a priori cutoff values and for associations with age, sex, race, and training level.

Main Results:

• All 39 residents completed the MSCEIT, with a mean total EI score of 86 (maximum 145).
• Only 10% of respondents demonstrated competence in EI.
• Junior residents, Caucasian residents, and those younger than 30 years showed significantly higher EI scores.

Conclusions:

• Orthopedic surgery residents exhibit low emotional intelligence (EI) scores as measured by the MSCEIT.
• Dedicated EI education, training, and testing may be necessary to optimize resident competency in noncognitive skills.
• Improving EI could potentially enhance both clinical and academic outcomes in orthopedic surgery residents.