ABSTRACT

Emotions are part of being human, and emotional intelligence has garnered attention as a critical skill. While various definitions exist, in the ability model of emotional intelligence, naming emotions is a first step in using emotions logically, which can be done regularly and habitually. Recognizing and labeling emotions (e.g. anger, fear, happiness, and sadness) is something we all do on a relatively automatic basis, often without carefully parsing the reasons for how we do so. Particularly in healthcare interactions, naming and reacting appropriately to emotions, whether fully expressed or not, is helpful to strengthening doctor-patient connection. Awareness, accuracy, and appropriate reactions can be created through the habit of emotional logic, improving doctor-patient connection for optimal healthcare.