Generosity and Prosocial Behavior in Healthcare Provision: Evidence from the Laboratory and Field

J. Michelle Brock, Andreas Lange and Kenneth Leonard ()

Journal of Human Resources, 2016, vol. 51, issue 1, 133-162

Abstract: Do health workers sometimes have intrinsic motivation to help their patients? We examine the correlation between the generosity of clinicians—as measured in a laboratory experiment—and the quality of care they provide (1) in their normal work environment, (2) when a peer observes them, and (3) six weeks after an encouragement visit from a peer. We find that clinicians defined as generous in the laboratory provide 8 percent better care in their normal work environment. On average, all clinicians provide 3 percent and 8 percent better care when observed by a peer and after encouragement, respectively. Importantly, generous clinicians react to peer scrutiny and encouragement in the same way as ungenerous clinicians.

Date: 2016
Note: DOI: 10.3368/jhr.51.1.133
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (23)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:uwp:jhriss:v:51:y:2016:i:1:p:133-162

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