Importance of Intelligence and Emotional Intelligence for Physicians—Reply

Abstract

To the Editor In a Viewpoint, Dr Emanuel and Ms Gudbranson 1 outlined the need to consider applicant abilities beyond surrogate measures of IQ when selecting medical school applicants. Although the authors highlighted emotional intelligence (EQ) as an alternative to IQ, other predictors of success in medicine should be considered as well.As alluded to by the authors, there is not a binary choice between IQ and EQ. A wide range of other intelligences, some of which may strongly predict medical school success, have been explored. 2 Formulaic intelligence, the ability to extrapolate from known or intuited formulas to novel problems triggered by overcoming adversity, may be a strong predictor of success both academically and personally, whereas grit, or resilience, is a better predictor of academic success in adolescents than IQ. 2 A minimum level of academically oriented intelligence, whether judged as formulaic intelligence, grit, or IQ, is needed-along with high EQ-for effective medical practice.Data from a systematic review highlighted the correlation between EQ and medical education core competencies, 3 whereas another review suggested that EQ education in medical school may be of value but that further study is warranted before its "wholesale adoption in any curriculum." 4 The role of specialty self-selection should also be considered because different skill sets may be of value for radiologists and geriatricians. Moreover, finding applicants with a high degree of creativity who possess at least a minimum level of EQ is valuable if medical schools are to train the next generation of leading physician scientists. Embracing diversity in the medical student body, including diversity of EQ and IQ levels within limits, may be of substantial value.If medical school recruiting practices are to change, it is important to heed the authors' call for change while also following the same principles of evidence-based medicine used when deciding on therapeutic interventions. A similar suggestion to deemphasize IQ at the expense of EQ was proposed in the veterinary literature more than a decade ago, and those authors called for further study to better elucidate the value of EQ. 5 Rigorous systematic reviews, public engagement, and further research may be helpful to better identify ideal characteristics beyond IQ for the next generation in medicine.

Impact of emotional intelligence on employee’s job performance and job satisfaction in the aged care industry

“…Job performance is a significant concern for organisations since working in a challenging environment like healthcare requires people to prioritise their mental and physical health (Imran et al, 2013). Emanuel & Gudbranson (2018) stated that in the following decades, medicine would emphasise altering the behaviour of chronically ill patients, and outpatient chronic care will become the focus of treatment.…”