The position of emotions in medical education programs: Starting from the concept of emotional labor

Abstract

Everyone manages their emotions according to societal rules, especially at work, which is referred to as “emotional labor.” This concept has attracted great interest in the medical field for nurses, doctors, and pharmacists because of the necessity of interpersonal relationships. In medical education programs, emotional socialization is a hidden curriculum, but with an emphasis on suppressing emotions and neglecting the presence of strong emotions in medical care. This paper will raise some issues regarding the position of emotions in future medical education programs from the perspective of new healthcare professionals.