Emotional Intelligence in Medical Students is Inversely Correlated with USMLE Step 1 Score: Is there a Better Way to Screen Applicants?

Allison L. Boden; Christopher A. Staley; Adam R. Boissonneault; Thomas L. Bradbury; Scott D. Boden; Mara L. Schenker

doi:10.22037/jme.v16i4.19528

Journal of Medical Education for Future Demands

Former Title: Journal of Medical Education | The Official Journal of School of Medical Education and Learning Technologies

https://doi.org/10.22037/jme.v16i4.19528

Emotional Intelligence in Medical Students is Inversely Correlated with USMLE Step 1 Score: Is there a Better Way to Screen Applicants?

Author(s):

Allison L. Boden¹,

Christopher A. Staley²,

Adam R. Boissonneault³,

Thomas L. Bradbury⁴,

Scott D. Boden⁵,

Mara L. Schenker^4,*

1Medical Student, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta,USA

2Research Intern, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta,USA

3Resident, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta,USA

4Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta,USA

5Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta,USA

Journal of Medical Education for Future Demands:Vol. 16, issue 4; e105594

Published online:Mar 28, 2018

Article type:Research Article

Received:Dec 23, 2017

Accepted:Feb 21, 2018

How to Cite:Allison L. BodenChristopher A. StaleyAdam R. BoissonneaultThomas L. BradburyScott D. BodenMara L. Schenkeret al.Emotional Intelligence in Medical Students is Inversely Correlated with USMLE Step 1 Score: Is there a Better Way to Screen Applicants?.J Med Edu.16(4):e105594.https://doi.org/10.22037/jme.v16i4.19528.

Abstract

Background: The primary aim of this study was to investigate whether USMLE board scores correlate with the emotional intelligence of medical students. We hypothesized that higher Step 1 scores would be associated with lower emotional intelligence.Methods: This prospective study included medical students who self-reported their USMLE Step 1 score and completed a survey designed to measure their emotional intelligence. The survey was composed of a Grit Scale, a Hardiness-Resilience quiz, and the “Reading the Mind in the Eyes” quiz. For participants who completed all three instruments, a composite score was equal to the sum of the three scoresThis study was performed at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. Of the 85 medical students who were recruited to participate, 72 completed all aspects of this study (85% completion rate).Results: Pearson correlation analyses showed that grit (r=-0.105, P=0.34), hardiness-resilience (r=-0.230, P=0.04), the eye quiz (r=-0.033, P=0.79), and the composite score (r=-0.187, P=0.12) wereinversely correlated with USMLE scores. Participants who scored higher than the national average had a lower mean hardiness score compared to those who scored lower than the national average (P=0.03). Those who scored at least one standard deviation above the national average had a lowermean hardiness score (P=0.05) and a lower composite score (P=0.04).Conclusion: Higher USMLE Step 1 scores are associated with lower emotional intelligence, namely hardiness, in medical students.

Keywords

Emotional Intelligence

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Search Relations

Author(s):

Allison L. Boden:[PubMed][Scholar]
Christopher A. Staley:[PubMed][Scholar]
Adam R. Boissonneault:[PubMed][Scholar]
Thomas L. Bradbury:[PubMed][Scholar]
Scott D. Boden:[PubMed][Scholar]
Mara L. Schenker:[PubMed][Scholar]