The correlation between critical thinking and emotional intelligence, conflict management modes in Chinese medical undergraduates: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Medical students are supposed to utilize critical thinking (CT) to resolve problems in healthcare settings. And the complex clinical environment requires effective collaboration and communication. Students with higher emotional intelligence (EI) are more sensitive and can cope with the interpersonal communication better. Conflict is also inevitable in the medical workplace. This study aimed to evaluate the levels of CT, EI and conflict management modes (CMM) of the medical undergraduates, explore the correlation between CT and EI, CMM, and provide a theoretical evidence basis for the medical education. Methods A cross-sectional study of medical students from Jilin University was conducted using a questionnaire containing three parts: Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory-Chinese Version (CTDI-CV), Emotional Intelligence Scale (EIS) and Rahim Organizational Conflict Inventory-II (ROCI-II). Demographic data relating to gender, grade and specialty were also collected. Data was analysed using T-tests, Pearson correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis. Results A total of 282 (95.39% response rate) medical undergraduates participated in this study. Students had a positive level of CT (Mean (SD) =281.12(27.40)). There was a positive correlation between the overall CT skills and the overall EI competencies (P < 0.01). For each dimension of ROCI-II, the total CTDI-CV score was significantly positively associated with integration and compromise scores (p < 0.01), significantly negatively associated with domination and compliance scores (p < 0.01) but not with avoidance score. The integration, perceived mood, compliance, dominance, and self-emotional regulation were good predictors of overall CT (adjusted R2 = 0.355). Conclusions Our findings showed medical undergraduates’ CT had significant correlations with EI and CMM. In other words, it was possible that the development of EI and conflict management skills might improve medical students’ CT. Therefore, further study is needed to uncover how educators can effectively foster EI and conflict management abilities to enhance the level of CT. The trial registration number (TRN) ChiCTR1800015784 Date of registration 2018/04/20 Keywords Critical thinking, Emotional intelligence, Conflict management modes, Medical undergraduates