Temporal changes in emotional intelligence (EI) among medical undergraduates: a 5-year follow up study.

ABSTRACT: Background: Emotional intelligence (EI) is thought to play a significant role in professional and academic success. EI is important for medical personnel to cope with highly stressful circumstances during clinical and academic settings. The present prospective follow-up study intends to evaluate the changes in EI and their correlates among medical undergraduates over a five-year period.

Methods: Data were collected in 2015 and 2020 at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. EI was assessed using the validated 33-item self-assessment tool, Schutte Self-Report Emotional Intelligence Test (SSEIT). In addition, socio-demographic details, students' involvement in extracurricular-activities during undergraduate life, students' satisfaction regarding the choice of studying medicine and plans to do postgraduate studies were also evaluated. A multiple-regression analysis was conducted among all students using percentage change in EI score as the continuous dependent variable, together with other independent variables (plan to do postgraduate studies, satisfaction in choice of medicine and extracurricular-activities).

Results: Sample size was 170 (response rates-96.6%), with 41.2% males (n?=?70). Mean EI scores at baseline among all students was 122.7?±?11.6, and it had significantly increased at follow-up to 128.9?±?11.2 (p?
Conclusion: EI in this group significantly improved over 5-years of follow-up and was independent of gender, religion, ethnicity, socio-economic parameters and academic performance. Satisfaction in the chosen field was a significant predictor of the overall change in EI. Future studies are  needed to identify and measure factors responsible for improvement in EI among medical undergraduates.

SUBMITTER: Ranasinghe P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7724823 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature