Presented By: Chelsea Price, University of Tennessee College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Co-Authors: Carrie Bailey, University of Tennessee School of Nursing
Lynn Beeler, University of Tennessee School of Nursing
Kaylan Gee, University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine
Lauren Grimsley, University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine
Robert Heidel, University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine
James Lewis, University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine
Steve McCallum, University of Tennessee College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Louis Rocconi, University of Tennessee College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Andrew Russ, University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine

Purpose 
Emotional Intelligence (EI) and burnout impact patient outcomes and healthcare-professional wellbeing. Pandemic impact on these wellness factors is unknown. We hypothesized the pandemic would negatively increase burnout while EI would be protective against increased burnout. 

Methods 
Demographics, EI, and burnout were assessed for incoming resident years 2018 to 2023. Cohorts were created; 2018-2019, 2020-2021 (pandemic), and 2022-2023. EI and burnout were assessed using the SEF:MED instrument and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), respectively. MBI is assessed using three subscales: Emotional Exhaustion (EE), Depersonalization (DP), and Personal Achievement (PA). The effect of the pandemic on EI and burnout was assessed using One-Way ANOVAs. 

Results 
Incoming residents (n=330) participated over the six years; M=56.0 (±4.7) per year. Overall mean EI was M=3.92(± 0.34), scale 1-5. MBI overall mean EE,DP, and PA were M=18.07(±9.93), M=7.60( ±5.31), M=37.92(±6.49), respectively. Resident pre, intra, and post-pandemic sample sizes were n=108, 101, 121, respectively. EI was not significantly different across cohorts, F(2,320)=0.53, p=0.587. MBI-EE was significantly different across groups, F(2,327)=3.28, p=0.04. EE was significantly lower during intra-pandemic years (M=16.05[± 9.65]) compared to pre-pandemic years (M=19.43[±S9.75]). DP was also significantly different across groups, F(2,328)=5.29, p=0.006. DP was significantly lower in the intra-pandemic years (M=6.30[±4.85]) compared to pre-pandemic (M=8.63[±5.37]) and post-pandemic (M=7.79[±5.43]) years. PA was not significantly different across groups, F(2,328)=0.752, p=0.472. EI was moderately negatively correlated with EE [r(321)=-0.51, p < 0.001] and DP [r(322)=-0.53, p < 0.001]. EI was moderately positively correlated with PA [r(322)=0.53, p<0.001]. Higher EI was associated with lower EE and DP, and higher PA, regardless of cohort. 

Conclusions 
EI is protective against higher levels of Burnout depersonalization and emotional exhaustion, regardless of a global health threat. Surprisingly, EE and DP were significantly lower during intra-pandemic years, contrary to our hypothesis. We provide evidence that Burnout was healthcare-professional work-related during the pandemic.