Relation of emotional intelligence and emphaty among medical students in Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University

Abstract

Objective: In medical education recently, noncognitive skills such as communication skills, interpersonal competence and empathy started to have greater importance as much as cognitive skills, Considering the importance of having the ability to read and manage emotions, greater emotional intelligence and empathy levels are expected from physicians. Greater emotional intelligence could also improve health care quality by improving interactions and relations among members of the health care team. This study aimed to investigate the relation of emotional intelligence and empathy in Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University first, second and third year medical students.

Methods: In this study, three different questionnaires are used: Personal Information Form, Bar-On Emotional Quotient Inventory. Empathic Tendency Inventory.

Results: In our study 120 students were participated. 55 of them (%45.8) were female and 65 of them (%54.2) were male. The analyses of the data were obtained by using student t test, ANOVA and descriptive statistical tests in SPSS 20.0. A positive correlation is found between subscales of Emotional Quotient Inventory (Intrapersonal skills, interpersonal skills, adaptability, stress management and general mood) and empatic levels.

Conclusion: Noncognitive skills are able to be learned. Developing both theoric and demonstrative educational programmes towards these skills are thought to be important.