title: Self-perceived provision of patient centered care by healthcare professionals: The role of emotional intelligence and general self-efficacy.
abstract: This study aimed to investigate whether healthcare professionals' emotional intelligence (EI) is associated with self-perceived provision of patient-centered care (PCC), taking into account the potential mediating effect of general self-efficacy (GSE).
  
  
  
  A sample of 318 healthcare professionals, recruited in 2015 among four hospitals in Italy, completed the Provider-Patient Relationship Questionnaire, the Emotional Intelligence Scale, and the General Self-Efficacy scale. A structural equation model was tested with GSE mediating the relationship between EI and self-perceived provision of PCC. Groups of participants based on gender, profession, and work setting were also compared on the study variables.
  
  
  
  EI had direct effects on the self-perceived provision of PCC dimensions. GSE partially mediated only the relationship between EI and involving the patient in care. Healthcare professionals in rehabilitation units showed higher self-perceived provision of PCC than those in acute care or ambulatory services.
  
  
  
  Self-perceived provision of PCC seems to have the potential to be improved by EI and to be distinguishable from GSE.
  
  
  
  Since EI can be developed, findings of this study have potential implications for improving PCC through continuing education interventions for healthcare professionals.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Psychology and Social Support Unit, Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Marinella
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sommaruga
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Casu
authors.affiliation: Clinical Psychology and Social Support Unit, Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Giaquinto
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy. Electronic address: paola.gremigni2@unibo.it.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gremigni
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D056348:Emotional Intelligence; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D012649:Self Concept; D020377:Self Efficacy; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Emotional intelligence; General self-efficacy; Healthcare professionals; Patient-centered care; Self-perception