Selective Consent and Dissent: Professional Response to Reform in the Post-crisis Greek NHS

Citation

Bolton SC, Charalampopoulos V & Skountridaki K (2019) Selective Consent and Dissent: Professional Response to Reform in the Post-crisis Greek NHS. Work, Employment and Society, 33 (2), pp. 262-279. https://doi.org/10.1177/0950017018774244

Abstract
Utilising the sociology of the professions as an analytical framework, the article explores the response of the Greek medical profession to state-imposed managerialism during times of economic recession and socio-political turbulence. It is argued that the case of Southern welfare states, permeated by clientelism and corruption, underpins a distinct form of professional-state relations, currently missing from relevant theoretical discussions. Rich qualitative data collected from practising hospital doctors in Greece reveals a willingness to concede elements of clinical autonomy in exchange for the minimisation of the role of a corrupt state in the organisation of the Greek National Health Service.

Keywords
Clientelism; Doctors; Greek National Healthcare Service; Managerialism; Professional power

Journal
Work, Employment and Society: Volume 33, Issue 2

People

Professor Sharon Bolton

Emeritus Professor, Management, Work and Organisation