Beyond Clinical Skills: What Shapes Job Performance Among ICU Respiratory Therapists?

Area of Science:

• Critical Care Medicine
• Occupational Psychology
• Health Workforce Management

Background:

• Intensive care units (ICUs) demand high performance from respiratory therapists (RTs) due to complex patient needs and rapid decision-making.
• Emotional intelligence (EI) and work-life balance (WLB) are recognized factors influencing healthcare professional outcomes.
• The specific impact of EI and WLB on ICU RT job performance requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the independent associations between emotional intelligence (EI) and work-life balance (WLB) dimensions with job performance among respiratory therapists (RTs) in intensive care units (ICUs).
• To determine the direction-specific relationships between different aspects of WLB and job performance outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A national cross-sectional survey was conducted with 392 RTs in Saudi Arabian ICUs.
• Emotional intelligence was measured using the Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale.
• Work-life balance was assessed using WIPL, PLIW, and WPLE scales; job performance was evaluated using the Individual Work Performance Questionnaire. Correlation and multivariable linear regression analyses were employed.

Main Results:

• Higher EI was significantly associated with improved task performance, contextual performance, and reduced counterproductive work behaviors.
• Personal life interference with work (PLIW) demonstrated the strongest negative association, predicting lower task performance and higher counterproductive behaviors.
• Work-personal life enhancement (WPLE) showed modest positive associations with performance, while work interference with personal life (WIPL) was not significant in adjusted models.

Conclusions:

• Job performance in ICU RTs is influenced by emotional regulation and work-life conflict.
• Personal life interference with work is a key adverse predictor, while EI supports positive performance patterns.
• Workforce strategies should address emotional competencies and role conflict to enhance performance and sustainability in critical care settings.