Purpose

Emotional intelligence, or EQ, defines a person's ability to sense the feelings of those around them, as well as their own feelings, and respond appropriately. 

As healthcare becomes more collaborative in nature, it's important that front-line providers and healthcare leaders understand how important EQ is in achieving better patient outcomes and satisfaction. EQ is important in providing quality patient care and a focus on EQ training can help with achieving better patient outcomes. 

Health care providers need more than just medical knowledge to be successful with patients. Emotional Intelligence is learned skill that enables providers to practice empathy, form meaningful connections, and motivate, and perform quality care. This educational activity will increase the knowledge and awareness of participants regarding emotional intelligence in the healthcare industry.

Professional Practice Gap

Practical knowledge and experience will always be important factors in determining top talent in healthcare. However, experts say emotional intelligence the ability to perceive, manage and express one’s emotions and to recognize and react appropriately to the emotions of others—is an invaluable social skill successful physicians or nurses should possess to effectively deliver quality patient care.

Today, this is a growing topic of concern for healthcare organizations across the nation as stress and burnout among physicians and nurses become more prevalent. Patient-centered care is not just about new care delivery models. It is, to a large degree, about relationships and interactions between providers and patients and among administrators, physicians, nurses and staff. With this realization, healthcare is exploring how we can apply the concept of Emotional Intelligence.

EQ is a key component to effective leadership. Healthcare leaders must have a solid understanding of how their emotions and actions affect the people around them. The better a physician or nurse relates to and works with others, the more adept he or she will be in connecting with patients to understand their needs, acknowledging and managing frustrations, and finding long-term solutions.

Agenda