Ethnography and emotions: new directions for critical reflexivity within contemporary qualitative health care research

In this chapter, we look at the potential of ethnographic research to enhance healthcare policy and practice, through placing a greater emphasis on the emotional dimension of health. This chapter aims to explore the role of emotional relationships between researchers and research participants to develop an understanding of healthcare beyond that of the predominantly clinical focus on physical functioning, to incorporate the social and cultural contexts of healthcare on a holistic basis. Qualitative research approaches build on an exchange relationship shaped by emotions, which can enable researchers and research participants to engage in a deep understanding of sensitive topics to co-construct their lived experience. Drawing on several fieldwork examples of ethnographic studies, we demonstrate the importance of the research participants’ voice in understanding their healthcare provision. Firstly, we address the positivist nature of medical disciplines and the rise of ethnography within healthcare research. Secondly, we explore the place of emotion, reflexivity, and autoethnography linked to researcher positionality and commitment in qualitative health research.