Last update:
07-Dec-2017

OBJECTIVE To investigate the level of emotional intelligence (EI) and informational behavior (IB) of physicians working in the Trikala General Hospital (TGH), in order to highlight the importance and foster the application of evidencebased medical practice.

METHOD The study was conducted with the 62 doctors working in the TGH and the data were collected using an appropriately adapted, well-structured questionnaire, self-administered with responses on a Likert scale.

RESULTS Sex and employment sector displayed no significant effect on any factor on the questionnaire, but age, educational level, marital status and working field affected certain variables. The EI levels of the participating physicians were satisfactory but with room for improvement. No correlation was demonstrated between the basic variables, and further investigation is required, preferably in hospitals with a larger medical staff, to give a study population of over 100, in order to derive safer conclusions.

CONCLUSIONS An essential in the transition from traditional medical practice to evidence-based medicine, with indications based on information sources, is awareness of the information exploitation possibilities provided by the new technological environment. Evidence-based practice can be exercised effectively through the development of EI, using every available element, such as the emotional component of empathy and self-awareness. Improvement of clinical adequacy by introducing evidence-based clinical practice, encompassing the relevant biological, psychological and social parameters, can contribute decisively to the establishment of unconventional diagnostic methods.

Key words: Emotional intelligence, Evidence based medicine, General Hospital of Trikala, Information behavior, Medical staff, Quality of health services.