Emotional intelligence in medical students at the University of Ghana Medical School, Accra, Ghana

Abstract

Emotional Intelligence is a form of interpersonal intelligence. There’s evidence that high emotional intelligence (EQ) of a medical student is associated with better coping with the tedious medical training. We evaluated EQ in medical students in their clinical years. This cross-sectional study was conducted in the University of Ghana Medical School (UGMS), Accra. In all, 111 students completed the questionnaires. Their average age was 24±1.5 years with marginal male preponderance. There were 37, 31 and 43 students in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd clinical years respectively. For global scores, 16 (14.1%) had good EQ (>120) with a mean total score of 105.49. The mean EQ for males was 104.2±17 an 106.2±12 for females, however this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.319). Mean EQ for 1st, 2nd and 3rd clinical years were 104.4±13, 104.4±20, and 107.1±12. This rise with increasing years was however not significant (p=0.659). EQ showed a weak positive correlation with age (r=0.1) but this was not significant (p=0.29). We report low EQ among students of the UGMS with no significant difference between gender, age and clinical year. EQ should be actively taught as part of the curriculum in UGMS. A larger study involving other medical schools in Ghana isrecommended.

The Effect of Work Experience on Emotional Intelligence Among Middle Level Managers in the Ghanaian Insurance Industry

“…The findings by Lawson, et al (2021) on the other hand was contrary to the findings of this study as he evaluated EQ in medical students in their clinical years.The cross-sectional study was conducted in the University of Ghana Medical School (UGMS), Accra. Mean EQ for 1st, 2nd and 3rd clinical years were 104.4±13, 104.4±20, and 107.1±12.…”

“…This also informs management of the importance of working experience when assigning managerial roles to individuals. Contrary to this study other studies found no significant difference between working experience and emotional intelligence, showing the insignificance of work experience when assigning managerial roles ( Llego, 2017;Marembo&Chinyamurindi, 2018;Lawson et al, 2021).…”

“…These studies confirm Goleman's assertion that individuals get more emotionally intelligent and have better capabilities in handling impulses and emotions, better at motivating others and themselves and develop social skills and empathy through experiences (Nagar, 2017;Khan &Minbashian, 2017;Nivedita, 2018). Other studies have also found insignificant differences in EI based on work experience (Lawson, et al, 2021;Llego, 2017;Marembo&Chinyamurindi, 2018;Uniyal&Uniyal, 2020).…”

“…These studies confirm Goleman's assertion that individuals get more emotionally intelligent and have better capabilities in handling impulses and emotions, better at motivating others and themselves and develop social skills and empathy through experiences (Nagar, 2017;Khan &Minbashian, 2017;Nivedita, 2018). Other studies have also found insignificant differences in EI based on work experience (Lawson, et al, 2021;Llego, 2017;Marembo&Chinyamurindi, 2018; Uniyal&Uniyal, 2020)According to Marembo and Chinyamurindi (2018), not much research exist that examines the association between work experience and EI (Marembo&Chinyamurindi, 2018). They recommended that further empirical investigation is necessary to examine this assumption (Marembo&Chinyamurindi, 2018).…”

“…Research on EI in relation to quality education, customer service, work place performance, gender influence, culture, leadership style, and service quality been carried out in Ghana (Dartey-Baah&Mekpor, 2017; Dartey-Baah, 2017; Mintah, et al, 2020; Nyadroh, 2020; Dai-Kosi&Acquaye, 2020). There is presently some study in Ghana on the effect of demographics on EI (Mintah, et al, 2020;Lawson, et al, 2021;Tetteh, et al, 2021;). According to Marembo and Chinyamurindi (2018), not much research exist that examines the association between work experience and EI (Marembo&Chinyamurindi, 2018).…”