2025 Volume 9 Article ID: e09016
A social contract based on “mutual trust” between professionals and society constitutes a fundamental concept of professionalism. Altruism and empathy are the essential elements of medical professionalism. It is necessary for healthcare professionals to manage their emotions and perform emotional labor to demonstrate professionalism in clinical settings that are uncertain and challenging and where many factors, such as human relationships with patients, patients’ families, and other professionals, the work environment, and social and legal factors, are intricately intertwined. I believe that the ability to recognize such harsh situations and manage emotions in response is also an essential aspect of the professionalism that pharmacists must possess. Numerous initiatives have focused on the emotional labor of doctors, particularly nurses; however, very little attention has been devoted to the emotional labor of pharmacists. In this symposium, we will examine pharmacists’ professionalism through the lens of emotional labor a perspective not yet explored in the field of pharmacy, and offer suggestions for pharmacy education.
