Emotional intelligence and artificial intelligence as catalysts for professional development and lifelong learning among healthcare professionals: A literature review

Abstract

The current healthcare professionals require interdisciplinary training that integrates emotional intelligence (EI) and artificial intelligence (AI). EI equips healthcare professionals with the ability to communicate empathetically, provide patient care, and regulate emotions, while AI serves as a knowledge-based decision support system that improves decision-making and clinical efficiency. This study explores the integration of EI and AI in healthcare and examines their combined impact on both instructional methods and clinical practice. In addition, we evaluated the role of EI in fostering patient interaction, strengthening teamwork, and combating burnout, alongside the role of AI in advancing learning, improving diagnostic accuracy, and enabling personalized care. Moreover, existing literature on EI and AI is discussed in this study to highlight their complementary roles in enhancing healthcare practices. A combined EI and AI training approach can offer a holistic training model for preparing healthcare professionals. While EI enhances its ability to handle emotional challenges, AI provides data-driven information that can sharpen clinical thinking and improve efficiency. Together, EI and AI play a crucial role in enhancing patient care, decision-making, and teamwork. An integrated approach that combines both AI and EI, aimed at enhancing clinical skills and professional development, represents a promising advancement in healthcare practice. Integrating EI with AI tools optimizes both human and technological capabilities, fostering a more competent, compassionate, and productive healthcare workforce.

Keywords

Artificial intelligence / Emotional intelligence / Healthcare / Patient-centered care / Professional development

Funding

None.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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