Emotional intelligence and academic performance of students.

Abstract

The medical profession deals with 'humanism' which involves interactions with people, the ability to think about them, care for them, and to provide positive reinforcement in clinical follow-ups. Emotional intelligence integrates the significant features of personal relationships to promote self-management skills, like adaptability, control of temperaments and reduction of tension, which can improve performance of individuals. This has led to increasing interest in the importance of emotional intelligence for effective academic growth, professional experiences and clinical practice. There are many studies examining the correlation between emotional intelligence and academic achievement at different education levels, signifying its importance to predict students who need guided intervention. With proven relationship between emotional intelligence and academic success, the assessment of emotional intelligence can be introduced in entrance exams of medical schools to recognise students who might need directed intermediation. With the agreement of all stakeholders, emotional intelligence training workshops and awareness sessions can be introduced for educators and students.