title: A benchmarking and comparative analysis of emotional intelligence in student and qualified radiographers: an international study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Emotional 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.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For 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).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This 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.
authors: Directorate of Medical Imaging and Radiotherapy School of Health Sciences University of Liverpool Liverpool United Kingdom.
authors: Stuart James
authors: SJ
authors: Mackay
authors: Department of Health Technology and Informatics The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Hung Hom Kowloon Hong Kong.
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: White
authors: Diagnostic Imaging School of Medicine and Medical Science Health Sciences Centre, University College Dublin Belfield, Dublin Ireland.
authors: Jonathan P
authors: JP
authors: McNulty
authors: Biostatistician University of Liverpool Liverpool United Kingdom.
authors: Steven
authors: S
authors: Lane
authors: Discipline of Medical Radiation Sciences Faculty of Health Sciences University of Sydney Lidcombe New South Wales Australia.
authors: Sarah Jayne
authors: SJ
authors: Lewis
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D019985:Benchmarking; D056348:Emotional Intelligence; D006801:Humans; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D011859:Radiography / Q000523:psychology*; D000072177:Radiologists / Q000523:psychology; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: Emotional intelligence; international comparison; radiographers; students