Emotional intelligence: Its place in infection prevention and control

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Clinical Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) professionals operate in demanding environments.
• Non-compliance with IPC policies can be prevalent, leading to challenges.
• An uncompromising approach to IPC can create conflict with clinicians, impacting patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the significance of Emotional Intelligence (EI) for IPC professionals.
• To advocate for the integration of EI assessment and development in IPC roles.

Main Methods:

• Literature review on Emotional Intelligence and its application in professional settings.
• Analysis of the impact of EI on communication and conflict resolution in healthcare.
• Discussion of EI as a competency for IPC practitioners.

Main Results:

• Higher EI is associated with improved learning, stress management, and communication.
• EI positively influences productivity and job satisfaction.
• EI equips IPC professionals to manage challenging programs more effectively.

Conclusions:

• Emotional Intelligence is an under-recognized but vital attribute for IPC professionals.
• Assessing and developing EI should be a priority in IPC recruitment and training.
• Integrating EI can mitigate conflict and improve working relationships, ultimately benefiting patient care.