title: Associations between emotional intelligence and doctor burnout, job satisfaction and patient satisfaction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The occupational health literature has long been dominated by stress-related topics. A more contemporary perspective suggests using a positive approach in the form of a health model focused on what is right with people, such as feelings of well-being and satisfaction.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Using a positive perspective and multi-source data collection, this study investigated the inter-relationships among emotional intelligence (EI), patient satisfaction, doctor burnout and job satisfaction.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this observational study, 110 internists and 2872 out-patients were surveyed in face-to-face interviews.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Higher self-rated EI was significantly associated with less burnout (p<0.001) and higher job satisfaction (p<0.001). Higher patient satisfaction was correlated with less burnout (p<0.01). Less burnout was found to be associated with higher job satisfaction (p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study identified EI as a factor in understanding doctors' work-related issues. Given the multi-dimensional nature of EI, refinement of the definition of EI and the construct validity of EI as rated by others require further examination.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Management, I-Shou University, 8 E-Da Road, Jiau-shu Tsuen, Yan-chau Shiang, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. weng@isu.edu.tw
authors.forename: Hui-Ching
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Weng
authors.forename: Chao-Ming
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Hung
authors.forename: Yi-Tien
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Yu-Jen
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Cheng-Yo
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Yen
authors.forename: Chi-Chang
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Chih-Kun
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000523:psychology*; D056348:Emotional Intelligence; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*