The relationship between oncology nurses' emotional intelligence, burnout, and patient-centered communication: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND

Oncology nursing involves intense emotional demands, requiring nurses to balance complex clinical responsibilities with empathetic, patient-centered communication (PCC). Burnout among oncology nurses is associated with diminished communication quality, while emotional intelligence (EI) has emerged as a potential protective factor. However, limited research has explored how EI interacts with burnout to influence PCC, particularly in Middle Eastern healthcare settings.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 172 oncology nurses in three tertiary hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Participants completed Arabic versions of the Schutte Self-Report Emotional Intelligence Test, the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory, and the Patient-Centered Communication Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, multiple linear regression, and moderation analysis via PROCESS macro.

RESULTS

EI was positively associated with PCC (r = 0.45, p < 0.001) and negatively associated with personal (r = - 0.41), work-related (r = - 0.38), and client-related burnout (r = - 0.33) (all p < 0.001). In the regression model, EI significantly predicted higher PCC (B = 0.26, p = 0.001), while personal (B = - 0.32, p = 0.004) and work-related burnout (B = - 0.23, p = 0.011) predicted lower PCC. Client-related burnout showed a non-significant trend (B = - 0.18, p = 0.076). The model explained 37.3% of the variance in PCC (F(4,167) = 24.2, p < 0.001, R² = 0.373). EI significantly moderated the effects of all three burnout dimensions on PCC, suggesting a buffering effect.

CONCLUSION

EI plays a critical role in reducing the negative impact of burnout on PCC among oncology nurses. Integrating EI development into professional training and wellness initiatives may enhance both communication quality and nurse well-being in emotionally demanding care settings.