The role of emotional intelligence on the resolution of disputes involving the electronic health record

Numerous authors have expressed concerns that the introduction of the Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record (PCEHR) will lead to an escalation of disputes. Some disputes will concern the accuracy of the record whereas others will arise simply due to greater access to health care records. Online dispute resolution (ODR) programs have been successfully applied to cost-effectively help disputants resolve commercial, insurance and other legal disputes, and can also facilitate the resolution of health care related disputes. However, we expect that health differs from other application domains in ODR because of the emotional engagement patients have with their health and those of loved ones. In this study we will be looking at whether the success of an online negotiation is related to how people recognise and manage emotions, and in particular, their Emotional Intelligence score.