Evaluating and Comparing Emotional Intelligence and Improvement Mindset of Plastic Surgery Residents

Emotional Intelligence (EI) has been linked to burnout, job satisfaction, and work performance among resident physicians. Individuals with a growth mindset believe intelligence and ability are traits that can be increased or improved upon through learning. EI and mindset have yet to be studied among plastic surgeons in the United States.

An online survey was distributed to plastic surgery residents and general surgery residents at a single institution containing a validated EI survey tool (TEIQue-SF). Second, a survey was sent to all plastic surgery residents in the United States containing the TEIQue-SF and a validated survey tool to assess mindset (ITIS).

The response rate for the local study was 82% (plastic surgery) and 75% (general surgery). Only 7.8% of plastic surgery residents had any prior formal EI training or education. Mean global EI scores of local plastic surgery residents were higher than the normative population sample (P <0.0001). Plastic surgery and general surgery residents had similar EI scores. Integrated residents and junior plastic surgery residents had higher Well-Being scores compared to independent (P = 0.04) and senior residents (P = 0.04). Sixty-four plastic surgery residents completed the national survey. No correlation was found between EI and ITIS scores among the national plastic surgery resident cohort.

Despite different work profiles, general surgery and plastic surgery residents may have similar EI profiles. Mindset does not appear to correlate to EI domains. Future studies will focus on how EI and mindset may develop over the course of residency training and their relationship to overall resident wellness.