R. H. Hollis1, L. M. Theiss1, M. S. Morris1, J. R. Porterfield1, J. M. Grams1, D. Chu1 1University Of Alabama At Birmingham,Dept Of Surgery,Birmingham, AL, USA
Introduction: Emotional intelligence (EI) has been associated with better performance and job satisfaction in several industries. The role of EI in the surgical profession is less clear particularly among surgical residents. Surgical resident performance is currently measured with ACGME competency based milestones and ABSITE scores. We hypothesized that higher EI would be associated with higher measures of resident performance and job satisfaction.
Methods: In 2015, a validated trait EI questionnaire (TEIQ) and job satisfaction survey were distributed to all general surgery residents at a single institution. These data were compared to resident performance which was defined by attending evaluations using the ACGME competency based milestones and standardized test scores (USMLE and ABSITE). Statistical comparison was made using Pearson correlation for continuous variables and ANOVA for categorical variables. The association between milestone scores and global trait EI was also evaluated using a general linear model to adjust for evaluation differences by post-graduate year (PGY).
Results: Overall survey response rate was 68.9%. Global EI did not significantly vary by resident age, gender, marital status, or PGY. Global EI was associated with scores on USMLE Step 2 (r=0.46; p=0.01) and Step 3 (r=0.54; p=0.01) but not ABSITE percentile scores (r=0.06, p=0.77). Clinical milestone scores significantly increased by PGY status (p<0.01), but were not associated with Global EI before or after adjustment for PGY (p>0.05). Global EI was associated with overall job satisfaction (r=0.37, p=0.04). Sub-analysis showed significant correlation between the EI domain of ‘well-being’ and a resident’s satisfaction with work supervision (r=0.47, p<0.01), work communication (r=0.38,p=0.03), and the nature of their work (r=0.45, p=0.01). Job satisfaction was not associated with ABSITE percentile scores.
Conclusion: Emotional intelligence was associated with job satisfaction measures and USMLE performance but not ACGME competency based milestones or ABSITE scores. EI may be an important factor for fulfillment in surgical training that is not currently captured with traditional in-training performance measures.