Emotional intelligence of health personnel and safety climate in hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the relationship between the emotional intelligence of healthcare workers in a hospital environment and their perception of the safety climate in the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: Cross-sectional, analytical study, carried out with 81 health workers who worked in hospitals during the pandemic, between September and November 2021. Data collection was carried out using an electronic form, which included a sociodemographic/occupational questionnaire and the Brazilian versions of the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire and the Schutte Self Test. Spearman's correlation test and simple and multiple linear regression analyses were applied. Results: An increase of 1 point in emotional intelligence levels resulted in an increase of 0.487 points in the perception of the safety climate. The most significant predictor of this perception was the ability to manage other people’s emotions (β=0.334; p=0.003; R2=0.168). Conclusion: A higher level of emotional intelligence in hospital healthcare workers was related to a greater perception of the safety climate during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• Emotional intelligence
• Patient safety
• Health personnel
• Hospitals
• Organizational culture