Alice Chuang, MDDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology

UNC Transition CourseJune 28, 2010

Professionalism and Emotional Intelligence: Tools for a Successful

Third Year

ObjectivesBegin to understand the components of

medical professionalismUnderstand the principles of emotional

intelligence and how it can help you navigate the workplace

Strive for achieving professionalism

Patrice M Weiss, MDDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine

Definition of Professionalismthe conduct, aims, or qualities that

characterize or mark a professional or a professional person

III. Professionalism. Students must demonstrate a commitment to professional service, adherence to ethical principles, sensitivity to patients, and maintenance personal health and well-being, specifically:

Demonstrate honesty and integrity in all interactions with patients’ families, and colleagues

Actively seek and respond to feedback about professional performance

Demonstrate personal accountability and admit professional mistakes openly and honestly with one’s colleagues and instructors and critically evaluate these mistakes to promote professional development. Recognize unprofessional behaviors in peers and other health professionals with whom one interacts in professional life and address these in a constructive manner

III. Professionalism. Students must demonstrate a commitment to professional service, adherence to ethical principles, sensitivity to patients, and maintenance personal health and well-being, specifically:

Demonstrate balance between priorities of patient care and personal and professional development

Identify and apply theories and principles that govern ethical decision-making to the practice of medicine

Recognize and discuss the implications of conflicts of interest inherent in various financial and organizational arrangements for the practice of medicine and in medical education and research.

Advocate for access to health care for members of underserved populations

Develop healthy self-care behaviors and coping skills

Why is all this important?Papadakis et alReviewed medical school records of

physicians who had been disciplined by any state medical boards from 3 medical schools

Controls chosen who had graduated within 1-2 years, one of whom was in same specialty

Papdakis et al, NEJM, Dec 2005

Why is this important

Common behaviors resulting in disciplineUse of drugs/alcohol endangering patientsUnprofessional conductConviction for a crimeNegligence Inappropriate prescribing or acquisition of controlled

substancesViolation of law or order of the boardFailure to conform to minimal acceptable standards of

practiceSexual misconductFailure to meet CME requirementsFraudulent billingFailure to maintain adequate medical records

Papdakis et al, NEJM, Dec 2005

Types of unprofessional behaviors

IrresponsibilityDiminished capacity for self-improvementImmaturityPoor initiativeImpaired relationships with students, residents

or facultyImpaired relationships with nursesImpaired relationships with patients/familiesUnprofessional behavior associated with

anxiety, insecurity and nervousness

Papdakis et al, NEJM, Dec 2005

Results

Disciplinary action by a medical board was strongly associated with prior unprofessional behavior in medical school (odds ratio, 3.0; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.9 to 4.8), for a population attributable risk of disciplinary action of 26 percent. The types of unprofessional behavior most strongly linked with disciplinary action were severe irresponsibility (odds ratio, 8.5; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.8 to 40.1) and severely diminished capacity for self-improvement (odds ratio, 3.1; 95 percent, confidence interval, 1.2 to 8.2).

Papdakis et al, NEJM, Dec 2005

Definition of Emotional Intelligencethe capacity for recognizing our own

feelings and those of others, for managing emotions well in ourselves and in our relationships, and for motivating ourselves and others.

Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More than IQ

Daniel Goleman, PhD

Emotional Quotient v. Intelligence QuotientAmong people smart enough to handle the

most cognitively demanding fields, SUCCESS:IQ least powerful predictorEQ/EI more powerful the higher the intelligence

barriers for entry into a fieldIn careers where professional selection

focuses exclusively on intellectual abilities, EQ outweighs IQ in determining who emerges as a leader.

Working with EQ, Goleman, Bantam 1995

Components of Emotional Intelligence at Work

Self-AwarenessSelf-RegulationMotivationEmpathySocial Skill

MS3 year

Rules for a Successful Third YearTell the truthAsk for feedback, be open to feedbackRemember your patient is always worse off

than you areBe present ALWAYSWash your hands a lot, especially before eatingSay you are sorry when you hurt someone or

make a mistakeBe observant and reflective every dayLearn from your mistakesHave a good sense of humorKnow when to ask for help

HAVE FUN!