The Human Face of Digitalization in Healthcare: A Mixed-Methods Study on the Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence and Burnout

Technological developments have profoundly transformed healthcare, compelling institutions to adapt rapidly to digital transformation. This shift has increased job pressure and uncertainty, thereby heightening the risk of burnout. Emotional intelligence (EI), as an individual capacity, plays a critical role in coping with these demands. This study examines the relationship between EI and burnout during the digital transformation process using a mixed-methods design. Specifically, it combines (1) a bibliometric analysis of 540 studies on EI and burnout (2004-2025) retrieved from the Web of Science database to identify conceptual gaps, and (2) a survey of 590 employees from four public hospitals at advanced stages of digital transformation (HIMSS Stages 6-7), analyzed with SPSS 23.0. The results reveal a significant negative correlation between EI and burnout, indicating that employees with higher EI experience lower burnout levels. Regression analyses and effect size estimates (standardized β coefficients and R² values) further support the robustness of this relationship. Taken together, the bibliometric and empirical findings indicate that the intersection of EI and burnout constitutes an emerging yet underexplored field, particularly in digital contexts. This study contributes to the literature by integrating theoretical insights and empirical evidence to provide a comprehensive understanding of how digital transformation influences healthcare professionals' psychological well-being through the interplay of EI and burnout.