Relationship Between Nurses' Emotional Intelligence with Clinical Decision-Making

Abstract

Introduction: Higher levels of emotional intelligence have been associated with better personal practice. Clinical decision-making, as the best solution for patients' problems, is a crucial factor in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between nurses' emotional intelligence and clinical decision making. Methods: This study is a correlation-descriptive study. A total of 269 nurses working in the hospitals affiliated with Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences were selected using a random stratified sampling in 2018. The data collection tools were standard questionnaires of Shearing emotional intelligence and Laurie clinical decision-making questionnaire. Statistical analysis was done using descriptive and analytical statistics, by SPSS 16. Results: The results of this study showed that there was a significant positive correlation between emotional intelligence and clinical decision-making (r=0.273, P <0.001). Average total score of emotional intelligence in nurses was 110.56 that was good ang higher than the mean of the questionnaire. Average total score of clinical decision-making in nurses has been 67.18. According to the questionnaire interpretation, clinical decision-making of the units under study was intuitive. Conclusion: With regard to the relationship between emotional intelligence and clinical decision-making, the importance of emotional intelligence in nurses is determined. Therefore, hospital managers need to provide new ways to enhance nurses' emotional intelligence, thereby enhancing the ability of clinical decision-making as the vital point between theoretical and practical knowledge of the nursing profession.