The correlation of patient satisfaction with psychiatrist's emotional intelligence

One of the most important accelerating factors in recovery process is patient satisfaction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between patient satisfaction of treatment process with psychiatrist's emotional intelligence.

Eighty-eight patients and forty-eight psychiatrists were selected by multistage sampling from governmental hospitals. The cases answered a bar-on emotional intelligence (EQ) test and a patient satisfaction questionnaire. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistic methods, t test and Pearson correlation, using SPSS 16 software.

There was a significant correlation between patient satisfaction with emotional intelligence of psychiatrists (p<0.01). The EQ was not not significantly different among male and female psychiatrists. Patient satisfaction did not have any significant difference between men and women. Emotional intelligence of psychiatrists is average and patient satisfaction is lower than average.

For increasing satisfaction of patients, EQ skills and renewal of medical services are necessary.