Measuring Emotional Intelligence in Surgeons: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Psychology
• Surgical Practice

Background:

• Emotional intelligence (EI) is increasingly recognized for its potential impact on healthcare professionals.
• Understanding EI's role in surgery is crucial for improving surgeon well-being and patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate methods for measuring emotional intelligence (EI) in surgeons.
• To examine the relationship between EI and burnout, job satisfaction, patient relationships, and teaching in surgical contexts.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review following PRISMA guidelines (June 2024).
• Searches across MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Scopus databases.
• Inclusion of 42 relevant studies published between 2008 and 2024, focusing on surgeons.

Main Results:

• Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (TEIQue) was the most common measurement tool.
• Higher EI scores correlated with lower burnout, higher job satisfaction, and better patient-surgeon relationships.
• Gender-based differences in EI facets were observed; variability in measurement tools complicates comparisons.

Conclusions:

• Emotional intelligence plays a significant role in mitigating stress and enhancing surgical performance.
• Standardization of EI measurement tools is necessary for reliable cross-study comparisons.
• Integration of EI training into surgical education is advised, with further research on its efficacy.