title: Power, right, and truth: Foucault's triangle as a model for clinical power.
abstract: Power has historically been viewed from a position of dominance and authority. Using this lens leads one to a destiny wherein one individual or society has power over another. The power over approach is a hierarchical view, one that leads to someone else being oppressed, and one wherein the prevailing hegemony continues. If a different lens is used, wherein power does not reside within a position, but rather, within a person and within a relationship bounded by knowledge, a new destiny of power to and power of is created. These two approaches to power are examined and clinical power is offered as a lens that culminates in the understanding of power as a right and as truth imbedded with awareness and relationships.
authors.affiliation: University of Connecticut, USA.
authors.forename: E Carol
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Polifroni
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D019359:Knowledge; D016294:Models, Nursing; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000266:history; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000266:history*; D028701:Patient Rights / Q000266:history*; D010687:Philosophy, Nursing / Q000266:history*; D011209:Power, Psychological; D014342:Truth Disclosure