A healthcare model of emotional labour : An evaluation of the literature and development of a model

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to evaluate the literature on emotional labour in the healthcare sector and the benefits and costs of such performance for both the carer and the patient. The aim is to develop a new health care model of emotional labour that has implications for healthcare management in terms of policy and education as well as for future research in this field.

Designmethodologyapproach

A new model to explain the antecedents and consequences of emotional labour within a healthcare setting is developed that builds on existing research.

Findings

The model distinguishes between types of emotional conflict to which emotional labourinducing events in healthcare settings might lead. The negative and positive consequences, specific to healthcare settings, of emotional labour performance are also outlined.

Practical implications

Emotional labour should be formally recognised as a key skill in facilitating the patient journey, with emotional skills being taught in innovative ways outside the formal classroom setting. Healthcare professionals should be offered training on coping with the effects of emotional labour performance. Finally, more research should be carried out to further develop the model, particularly in identifying causes of emotional labour within healthcare settings and in differentiating the effects that different kinds of emotional labour performance might have.

Originalityvalue

The paper draws together previous research on emotional labour within healthcare settings to develop a coherent model that can be used to guide future research and practice.