Empowerment in nursing: paternalism or maternalism?
The aim of this article is to explore whether patient empowerment flourishes in the wake of current health reforms or if there is a power struggle between nursing and medicine as to what is in the patients' best interest. Shifting the balance of power from healthcare professionals to patients has become a key element of healthcare policy in England. The RCN's definition of nursing places patient empowerment as a central remit of nurses. However, achieving genuine patient empowerment is not easy and requires individuals and organizations to alter their beliefs, values and behaviours. To empower patients nurses must be in a position to share power and this may require a realignment of the traditional power base within health care. Although empowerment is often viewed on a one-to-one level between professionals and patients, for true patient empowerment to occur, issues of power and control must also be addressed at a national and political level.
Christensen
Martin
M
Bournemouth University, Bournemouth House, Christchurch Road, Bournemouth.
Hewitt-Taylor
Jaqui
J
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003657:Decision Making; D004739:England; D018166:Health Care Reform / Q000458:organization & administration; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D019359:Knowledge; D016294:Models, Nursing; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D026706:Paternalism; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D010686:Philosophy, Medical; D010687:Philosophy, Nursing; D010819:Physician's Role / Q000523:psychology; D011057:Politics; D011209:Power, Psychological; D017009:Professional Autonomy