Emotional Competencies: A Strength for Critical Care Professionals? A Scoping Review.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare
• Nursing
• Psychology

Background:

• Intensive care unit (ICU) environments demand high-pressure performance, requiring strong socio-cognitive abilities.
• Emotional competencies (EC) are increasingly recognized as crucial protective resources for healthcare staff.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore emotional competencies (EC) as a key strength among critical care professionals.
• To review the existing literature on EC in the context of critical care.

Main Methods:

• A scoping review following PRISMA-ScR guidelines and the Joanna Briggs Institute framework.
• Searched databases including Medline, Scopus, PsycINFO, and CINAHL (2004-2024).
• Included studies assessing EC with validated tools, reporting well-being or care quality outcomes, and using mixed methods.

Main Results:

• Sixteen studies met inclusion criteria, predominantly focusing on ICU nurses.
• EC were found to support professional well-being, reduce burnout and anxiety, and improve interpersonal interactions.
• EC may also enhance clinical performance and facilitate the management of moral distress.

Conclusions:

• Emotional competencies are critical non-technical skills for ICU nurses, enhancing both well-being and performance.
• Findings strongly support integrating EC into nursing education and critical care practice.
• Further longitudinal research is recommended to solidify the value of EC in nursing.