The effect of emotional intelligence on academic performance of medical undergraduates

Aim: To determine the association between Emotional Intelligence and academic performances of medical students at undergraduate level. Background: In our field of medical education, intelligence quotient is considered as a successful interpreter of academic performance and intelligence. However, little importance has been given to EI. Our study examined the relationship between EI and academic performance or workforce of preclinical medical students (1st and 2nd year MBBS students of Jinnah Sindh Medical University). Methods: We used a prospective, cross sectional study design and measured the EI by questionnaire based on a study by Petrides and Furnham, 2006. The grade point average (GPA) of their last semester was used to analyze the academic performance. Nonprobability consecutive technique was done. Our sample size comprises of 120 students out of which 14 were males and 106 were females of 1st and 2nd year of MBBS. The structured paper-based questionnaire also included pretest demographic information which was filled by the students, after taking a verbal consent. The data were collected in the month of July 1, 2015–July 30, 2015. Results: The number of participants was 120. The response rate was 100%. The result revealed that out of 4 factors, 2 were the most significant: well-being (P = 0.005) and sociability (P = 0.01). The value of EI was significantly higher in the male than in the female students. Conclusion: Our study proved a strong relationship between academic performance in terms of higher GPA and two individual factors of EI that were well-being and sociability. Overall EI values of male students were statistically higher and significant than female students. Thus, appropriate measures should be taken to strengthen emotional well-being in medical students for better academic performances.