RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Generosity and Prosocial Behavior in Healthcare Provision
JF Journal of Human Resources
JO J Hum Resour
FD University of Wisconsin Press
SP 133
OP 162
DO 10.3368/jhr.51.1.133
VO 51
IS 1
A1 Brock, J. Michelle
A1 Lange, Andreas
A1 Leonard, Kenneth L.
YR 2016
UL http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/51/1/133.abstract
AB 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.