The effect of transactional analysis training on emotional intelligence in health professions students.

BACKGROUND: Emotional intelligence (EI) is considered to present a significant predictor of work performance whereas Transactional analysis (TA) is the relational perspective in communication in managing emotions. We evaluated the effect of psycho-educational training in EI and TA (TEITA) on EI among health professions undergraduates, with post-training, and at 1-month follow-up. METHODS: A total of 34 participants participated in the study where 17 participants were in the TEITA group and another 17 were in the control group. A quasi-experimental non-randomised, controlled cohort study was conducted, in which participants in the TEITA group were introduced to EI and TA concepts on a weekly basis for four weeks, at 90 min each time, and provided with opportunities for experiential sharing of emotions and coping mechanisms experienced in the previous week. Both TEITA and control groups received weekly EI and TA reading materials. All completed the 16-item Wong and Law EI Scale at baseline and post-training. The training group also completed the questionnaire at a 1-month follow-up. Wilcoxon Signed Ranks and Mann Whitney tests were used to analyse within a group and between group changes in EI scores. RESULTS: Baseline EI scores in the TEITA group were lower than the control group. On completion of TEITA, EI scores in the TEITA group increased, and differences were not detected between groups. Within the TEITA group, paired increases in all domains were statistically significant, whereas, in the control group, the paired increase was only detected in the domain addressing regulations of emotion (ROE). Pre to post-training increases in EI scores were statically significantly greater in TEITA compared to control groups. At the 1-month follow-up, EI scores were sustained. CONCLUSION: The psycho-educational training based on EI and TA is effective in enhancing EI among health professions undergraduates. Future research should investigate the effect of such training on observable inter-personal and socio-economic behaviours.

What do paediatric trainees require from their clinical supervisors?

AIM: Clinical supervisors are appointed to ensure that medical trainees receive a satisfactory education, improve their academic orientation and develop professional attitudes. The aim of this study was to find out, from the paediatric trainee's perspective, how their clinical supervisor could best do that. METHODS: We conducted in-depth interviews with seven paediatric trainees in a university hospital. A template analysis of the transcribed data explored what trainees expect from their clinical supervisors and what they would change if they could. RESULTS: Trainees wanted the supervision process to begin with negotiating how their supervisory relationship would be structured and how the time could be used to best effect. They wanted their supervisors to provide them with stimulating, multifaceted guidance and encouragement and support a reflective approach that linked theory with practice. CONCLUSION: Trainees wanted their supervisors to support them as they took a reflective approach to their practical work and to help them to bridge theoretical and applied learning.