Role of the Medical Practitioner’s Emotional Intelligence on Patient Satisfaction

Physician-patient communication skills linked to improved patient satisfaction. More emotionally intelligent persons might succeed at communicating in pleasing ways. Physician's communication skills are potentially valuable assets to improve quality of care. This study examined the relationship between physician's emotional intelligence (EI) and patient satisfaction. The sample comprised physicians of different specialisations and their  patients. EI was measured using Genos Emotional Intelligence Inventory. Patient satisfaction was assessed by Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire-III. The Karl Pearson's coefficient of correlation resulted positive and significant association between EI and patient satisfaction. Moreover, EI scores of a physician showed strong positive associations with communication subscales of patient satisfaction. Linear regression analysis showed EI is a significant predictor of patient satisfaction. ANOVA results depicted that physician's EI changes across age and experience and also patient satisfaction changes across gender, age, follow-up visit, education, and marital status. It has implications for physicians that improved EI abilities contribute to increased communication quality. Increased communication skills act as a better predictor of patient's needs that ultimately contribute to satisfy the patient. Physician's EI abilities are strengthened through training programs on EI, which are necessarily effective in the workplace.