Emotional intelligence, perceived stress and burnout among resident doctors: an assessment of the relationship.
BACKGROUND
Burnout is an increasing problem among the medical fraternity, especially resident doctors. We assessed the relationship between burnout, emotional intelligence and perceived stress in an attempt to explore a probable solution.


METHODS
Residents in the departments of medicine (n=29) and surgery (n=27) were assessed with a specially designed proforma consisting of participant's profile sheet, Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure (SMBM), Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Correlation and mediational analysis were used to analyse the data.


RESULTS
The findings showed a positive correlation of burnout with perceived stress and a negative correlation with trait emotional intelligence (EI). Perceived stress also showed a negative correlation with trait EI. Mediation analysis showed that perceived stress mediates the effect of trait EI on burnout.


CONCLUSIONS
Enhancing EI through training may be an important intervention for targeting burnout.
Rabindra Nath Tagore Medical College, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India - Department of Psychiatry.
M K
MK
Swami
Geetanjali Medical College, Udaipur, Rajasthan - Department of Psychiatry.
D M
DM
Mathur
Rabindra Nath Tagore Medical College, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India - Department of Psychiatry.
B K
BK
Pushp
D000328:Adult; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D056348:Emotional Intelligence; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D010465:Perception; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*