A benchmarking and comparative analysis of emotional intelligence in student and qualified radiographers: an international study

Abstract

IntroductionEmotional intelligence (EI) has been identified as an important trait for healthcare students and healthcare professionals alike and is a predictor of improved work performance and patient satisfaction. In this paper, we benchmark an international cohort of radiography students and compare their scores to those of known qualified practitioner and normative data.Methods EI scores were at commencement from radiography degree programmes at four universities in Australia, Hong Kong, Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom using the short form of the trait EI questionnaire (TEIQue‐SF), which yields a Global score and four sub‐factors. In total 293 students chose to participate.ResultsFor the Australian combined Irish and UK groups, there were significant differences in Global EI and three of the four sub‐factors between students and qualified radiographers (Australia: students = 5.01, qualified = 5.27; P ≤ 0.01) (Irish/UK students = 5.04, qualified = 5.28; P ≤ 0.01). When compared to the UK normative data, there was a significant difference for Global EI between the UK students and the UK norm data set (students = 4.71, normative = 4.99; P ≤ 0.01).ConclusionThis study provides benchmarking data for an international radiography student group. The clear differences of higher EI scores for qualified practicing radiographers when compared to student score opens discussion of the impact of academic and clinical practicum as a contributing factor in EI skills development.

Demographic predictors of emotional intelligence among radiation therapists

“…24 In contrast the emotionality dimension was higher than that of radiographers. 24 This could be due to the fact that RT has a greater contact with the patients compared to radiographers and hence have developed the ability to control their emotions.…”

“…The results from this study demonstrates that the Global EI as well as the wellbeing, self‐control, emotionality and sociability dimensions of RTs is higher than that reported in the literature among first year student radiographers and the normative data, but was lower than qualified radiographers . In contrast the emotionality dimension was higher than that of radiographers . This could be due to the fact that RT has a greater contact with the patients compared to radiographers and hence have developed the ability to control their emotions.…”

“…A comprehensive search of the literature identified five publications investigating EI among radiographers of which three were undertaken among radiography students. [23][24][25] The remaining two studies investigated EI among qualified diagnostic and therapy radiographers (RT). 26,27 In the study by Mackay 26 the mean global EI score for radiographers was 5.27 (SD = 0.691) and in the second study the mean global EI scores ranged from 5.14 to 5.60.…”

“…A comprehensive search of the literature identified five publications investigating EI among radiographers of which three were undertaken among radiography students . The remaining two studies investigated EI among qualified diagnostic and therapy radiographers (RT) .…”

What Medical Imaging Professionals Talk About When They Talk About Compassion

“…Emotions play a role in compassion and the concepts of emotional intelligence and emotional labour have been explored both in terms of the radiographer-patient interaction, and of individual practitioners' emotion management. [12][13][14] Barriers to compassion can be emotional, physical, and administrative 15,16 with distance and distancing serving dual purposes of physical protection from radiation and emotional protection from the sometimes distressing feelings associated with patients' suffering. 17 The idea of resilience, often championed as a solution to stress that must be an individual responsibility is questioned.…”