Exploring Emotional Intelligence and Intellectual Quotient in INTARMED Students: Implications for Medical Education and Curriculum

Background: The discourse over the relative importance of emotional intelligence (EQ) and cognitive intelligence (IQ) in predicting life success has been a contentious debate over the past few decades. Objectives: This study examines the interplay between IQ and EQ among gifted Filipino medical students in the University of the Philippines' Integrated Liberal Arts and Medicine (INTARMED) program, who are faced with the dual pressures of being intellectually gifted and coping with the demands of medical education at a young age. Methodology: Using a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design, 76 participants were administered with standardized tests to measure their EQ and IQ levels. This was followed by in-depth interviews to explore their self-perceptions of intellectual giftedness and emotional competence. Results: Results show that participants have high intellectual ability, but with an average level of emotional intelligence, suggesting that while these students excel academically, their emotional competencies might not be as developed. Notably, a weak but significant correlation between IQ and EQ scores was identified, indicating that higher cognitive abilities may be associated with slightly elevated emotional skills. Qualitative findings highlighted the internal conflict between self-perception and societal stereotypes of giftedness, alongside challenges in social interaction and low stress tolerance amidst high adaptability. Conclusion: Findings of this study emphasize the crucial role of emotional intelligence in coping with stress and social expectations, particularly in high-pressure academic environments like medical school. This study contributes to the ongoing discourse on IQ vs. EQ debate by providing empirical evidence on the complex relationship between cognitive and emotional intelligence. It underscores the need for a more nuanced understanding of success, beyond traditional academic achievements, advocating for the integration of emotional competence training within the medical curriculum to better prepare students for the challenges ahead in their medical profession.