Emotional Intelligence Predicts Clinical Performance among Dental Students

     "Emotional intelligence has emerged as a key factor in differentiating average from outstanding performers in managerial and leadership positions across multiple business settings, but relatively few studies have examined the role of emotional intelligence in the health care professions. 
     ... this study examined the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI) and dental student clinical performance. ... at a U.S. dental school... EI was assessed using the Emotional Competence Inventory-University version (ECI-U), a ... 360-degree questionnaire. The ECI-U measured twenty-two EI competencies grouped into four clusters (Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, and Relationship Management). ... 
     The Self-Management competencies were emotional self-control, achievement orientation, initiative, trustworthiness, conscientiousness, adaptability, and optimism. In this sample, dental students’ EI competencies related to Self-Management were significant predictors of mean clinical grade assigned by preceptors. Emotional intelligence may be an important predictor of clinical performance, which has important implications for students’ development during dental school."

       Zakariasen Victoroff K, Boyatzis RE. What Is the Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence and Dental Student Clinical Performance? J Dent Educ 2013; 77(4): 416-26.