title: Empowering dialogues--the patients' perspective.
abstract: The aim of the study was to highlight the patients' experiences and perspectives of the dialogue with the health professionals at a pain clinic. This knowledge can develop and give nuanced understanding of patient empowerment and sense of control. Qualitative content analysis was used to reveal the meaning of the patients' experiences and perspectives during focus group interviews. The findings and interpretations revealed the main theme; preconditions and opportunities for participation. The main theme was represented by four subthemes; means for common understanding, basis for collaboration, acknowledgement and legitimacy. The findings and interpretations are discussed in the light of an evolving theory on women's sense of control while experiencing chronic pain and empowerment. The dialogue is very important related to aspects of control, remoralization and demoralization and is affected by external structural factors. This underlines the importance of further research focusing on empowerment and power.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health, Nutrition and Management, Akershus University College, Lillestrøm Norway. Sidsel.Tveiten@hiak.no
authors.forename: Sidsel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tveiten
authors.forename: Ingrid Ruud
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: Knutsen
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000523:psychology*; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology*; D011209:Power, Psychological