Soft Skills, Strong Scores: The Impact of Emotional Intelligence on Academic Outcomes in Physician Assistant Education

Authors

• Michelle A. Lea, University of LynchburgFollow

Specialty

Academia

Abstract

This narrative review aims to map existing evidence on whether emotional intelligence (EI) predicts academic and clinical success in physician assistant (PA) education. A secondary aim is to identify how EI measurement may support early detection of performance risk. Incorporating EI assessment at the time of admission may also offer an additional data point to help select candidates most likely to succeed in rigorous PA programs.

A comprehensive search of electronic databases identified a moderate number of studies exploring the relationship between EI and academic or clinical outcomes across PA education and related health professions. Although research within PA education remains limited, findings from the broader health professions literature consistently demonstrate a positive association between EI, academic achievement, and clinical competence. Moreover, higher EI has been linked to lower rates of burnout and improved professional well-being, suggesting its relevance beyond training and into clinical practice.

Unlike many static personality traits, EI can be developed and strengthened over time. For this reason, structured remediation strategies that foster EI, such as reflective practice, communication training, and feedback-driven emotional awareness may serve as effective tools for supporting both academic and professional growth. Incorporating EI assessments into remediation processes could further assist educators in identifying underlying contributors to performance concerns and tailoring individualized interventions.

Despite encouraging findings, important limitations remain. Most existing EI assessments rely on self-report instruments, introducing potential response bias and subjectivity. Additionally, few studies have examined EI within the unique context of PA education, underscoring the need for larger, multi-institutional research efforts to determine reliable methods for EI assessment and targeted interventions.

By emphasizing EI as an integral component of clinical competence, PA educators can enhance both learner outcomes and long-term professional resilience. Integrating EI awareness, training, and evaluation throughout PA curricula represents an innovative and underexplored opportunity to advance the development of empathetic and effective clinicians.

Recommended Citation

Lea MA. Soft Skills, Strong Scores: The Impact of Emotional Intelligence on Academic Outcomes in Physician Assistant Education. University of Lynchburg DMSc Doctoral Project Assignment Repository. 2026; 8(1).