Emotional Intelligence and Resilience “PROGRAM” Improves Wellbeing and Stress Management Skills in Preclinical Medical Students

Figures & data

Table 1 Overview of Elective Curriculum

Session	Topic	Post-Session Assignments
1	Emotional Intelligence Overview	Initial EI assessment report reflection
2	Using EI Skills to Develop Resilience	Well-Being indicator reflection
3	Positive thinking, Reframing, Optimism, Gratitude, Reflection, Altruism, Meaning (PROGRAM)	Gratitude Log
4	Finding meaning and purpose, Social support, Relationships, Mentors	Mission Statement, Thank you letter to a mentor
5	Self-Care strategies, Mindfulness and Meditation	Self-Care log
6	Self-Compassion and Course Summary	Self-Reflection essay, Self-Compassion assessment

Table 2 Change in Emotional Intelligence Scores

	Intervention		Δ (95% CI)	p
	Mean Pre (SD)	Mean Post (SD)
Total EI	100.05 (12.94)	108.14 (12.36)	8.08 (5.91–10.24)	<0.001
Self-Perception Composite	101.82 (13.25)	108.92 (12.34)	7.11 (5.02–9.20)	<0.001
Self-Regard	95.48 (15.76)	101.32 (13.79)	5.76 (3.60–7.92)	<0.001
Self-Actualization	107.71 (11.29)	112.35 (11.08)	4.76 (2.80–6.72)	<0.001
Emotional Self-Awareness	102.28 (14.22)	110.57 (12.46)	8.39 (5.51–11.26)	<0.001
Self-Expression Composite	94.89 (16.47)	102.88 (14.95)	7.97 (5.83–10.12)	<0.001
Emotional Expression	100.92 (17.67)	108.74 (14.48)	7.82 (5.50–10.13)	<0.001
Assertiveness	94.12 (16.73)	101.17 (16.01)	7.05 (4.92–9.17)	<0.001
Independence	91.91 (14.68)	95.62 (12.99)	3.64 (1.10–6.17)	0.005
Interpersonal Composite	107.28 (11.80)	113.45 (10.34)	6.17 (4.07–8.27)	<0.001
Interpersonal Relationships	102.54 (13.02)	106.60 (11.62)	4.06 (2.23–5.88)	<0.001
Empathy	108.09 (12.82)	114.17 (11.47)	6.04 (3.30–8.79)	<0.001
Social responsibility	108.74 (11.95)	114.35 (9.82)	5.66 (3.58–7.73)	<0.001
Decision Making Composite	97.58 (13.48)	104.85 (12.89)	7.25 (4.62–9.88)	<0.001
Problem Solving	92.75 (13.57)	98.72 (13.49)	5.86 (3.42–8.30)	<0.001
Reality Testing	100.63 (12.82)	108.31 (11.34)	7.71 (4.98–10.44)	<0.001
Impulse Control	101.54 (16.18)	105.32 (15.72)	3.86 (1.01–6.71)	0.01
Stress Management Composite	97.72 (13.04)	104.06 (12.66)	6.30 (3.90–8.71)	<0.001
Flexibility	96.26 (12.50)	102.51 (12.99)	6.19 (3.53–8.85)	<0.001
Stress Tolerance	98.26 (12.58)	103.12 (13.87)	4.90 (2.51–7.29)	<0.001
Optimism	99.80 (13.76)	104.29 (12.74)	4.40 (1.87–6.94)	0.001
Well-Being	100.89 (14.39)	105.28 (11.70)	4.37 (2.18–6.57)	<0.001

Notes: Valid N = 65. CI = Confidence interval for the mean difference, which is adjusted for sex.

Table 3 Change in Survey Response

	Preintervention Mean (n=70)	Postintervention Mean (n=67)	Log Odds (95% CI)	p
I am familiar with the concept of Emotional Intelligence	3.76 (0.89)	4.81 (0.40)	3.25 (2.44–4.07)	<0.001
I can describe how EI can help me in the clinical setting	3.61 (0.97)	4.7 (0.46)	2.76 (1.98–3.54)	<0.001
I understand how EI can be a useful skill for doctors to have	4.23 (0.76)	4.87 (0.34)	2.40 (1.57–3.23)	<0.001
I regularly think about my EI skills when I interact with others	3.24 (1.11)	3.93 (0.70)	3.69 (2.12–6.44)	<0.001
I can outline strategies to improve my own EI level	2.59 (1.03)	4.48 (0.59)	4.04 (3.01–5.08)	<0.001
I recognize how EI skills can promote resilience	3.77 (1.05)	4.81 (0.40)	2.77 (2.11–3.43)	<0.001
I am familiar with specific EI-Resilience strategies	2.36 (1.16)	4.64 (0.54)	4.26 (3.28–5.23)	<0.001
I regularly use EI-Resilience strategies	2.37 (1.13)	4.07 (0.80)	3.00 (2.25–3.76)	<0.001
I feel EI-Resilience strategies are an important skill set	4.19 (0.86)	4.85 (0.36)	2.17 (1.47–2.86)	<0.001
I have the skills to manage stress and burnout	3.31 (0.75)	4.16 (0.75)	2.41 (1.63–3.20)	<0.001

Notes: Mean with standard deviation for the ordinal scale (range 1–5) is displayed, where higher scores reflect stronger agreement with the item. The change in the log odds of a higher response (stronger agreement) is also displayed with 95% confidence limits (CI), which is adjusted for sex. Significance values (p-values) are based on a valid sample size of N = 67.

Table 4 Postintervention Evaluation Questions

	Strongly Disagree/Disagree	Neutral	Strongly Agree/Agree
I plan to use what I have learned in this EI-Resilience Elective in the future.	0 (0.0%)	3 (4.5%)	64 (95.5%)
Through this elective I have learned new ways to approach stress and burnout.	3 (4.5%)	4 (6.0%)	60 (89.6%)
I found this EI-Resilience elective to be helpful.	1 (1.5%)	2 (3.0%)	64 (95.5%)
This EI-Resilience elective should be continued.	2 (3.0%)	1 (1.5%)	64 (95.5%)
I would recommend this EI-Resilience elective to other students.	2 (3.0%)	3 (4.5%)	62 (92.5%)

Notes: Valid N = 67. Count with proportion is displayed.