Spiritual Intelligence of Students Entering Undergraduate medical course in an Indian Medical College

Background: Spiritual intelligence [SI] is reported to provide meaning-giving and context-creator functionality, besides enhancing academic engagement and care competence. Enabling medical students to become aware about their own SI has a potential to provide a transformational edge to the learning process. Method: We studied spiritual intelligence, daily spiritual practices, and work satisfaction of 127 students of first year undergraduate course in an Indian medical college using a questionnaire-based survey. Spiritual Intelligence Self-Report Inventory [SISRI 24] was used which measures overall spiritual intelligence and its 4 components: Critical existential thinking, Personal meaning production, Transcendental awareness, Conscious state expansion. Results were analysed by STATA 14 software. Results: Eighty five percent students had moderate/high SI. Scores: Critical existential thinking [17.0/28], Personal meaning production [12.9 /20],Transcendental awareness [17.8/28], Conscious state expansion [9.8./20] . SI was significantly associated with work satisfaction[p=0.006]. More than 80% students were regularly undertaking spiritual practices [prayer, meditation, etc]. Students consider spirituality as an important is helpful in professional growth. Conclusion: First year medical students have moderate/high spiritual intelligence associated with good work satisfaction. Students consider spirituality as essential component of education for enhancing self-development and professional competence. Students entering medical studies should be provided opportunities for exploring their spiritual insight and strengthening the same for as a pedagogic intervention.