Emotional Intelligence in Oncology and Palliative Care

Abstract and Introduction

Abstract

Nursing research on emotional intelligence suggests a vast potential for this new concept to improve nursing performance, retention, and burnout prevention. The purpose of this article was to (1) summarize the findings of nursing research in emotional intelligence to date, (2) provide a case study exemplar of the use of emotional intelligence abilities in the oncology/palliative care setting, and (3) illustrate the importance of emotional intelligence abilities to patient care, team relationships, and nurse self-care in the oncology/palliative care setting.

Introduction

It was a typical day on the busy oncology unit of The Queen's Medical Center, a large tertiary-care hospital in urban Honolulu, Hawaii. At the beginning of her shift, Ann, an experienced senior nurse, anticipated everything from administration of chemotherapy for patients receiving cancer treatment, to complex symptom management for people in the final hours of life. Advanced medical and surgical skills were routine for Ann, but she brought to her patients that day another set of abilities, the skills of emotional intelligence.