Empowerment in nursing: paternalism or maternalism?

Full Abstract

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.

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Author information

Author/s: Christensen, Martin (M); Hewitt-Taylor, Jaqui (J);

Affiliation: Bournemouth University, Bournemouth House, Christchurch Road, Bournemouth.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Review

Journal: British journal of nursing (Mark Allen Publishing) (Br J Nurs), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: -2006 Jul 13-27; vol 15 (issue 13) : pp 695-9

Dates: Created 2006/08/23; Completed 2006/09/21; Revised 2007/11/15;

PMID: 16926716, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Attitude of Health Personnel
Cooperative Behavior
Decision Making
England
Health Care Reform - organization & administration
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Health Services Needs and Demand
Humans
Knowledge
Models, Nursing
Nurse's Role - psychology

Nurse-Patient Relations
Organizational Innovation
Paternalism
Patient Education as Topic
Patient Participation - methods; psychology
Philosophy, Medical
Philosophy, Nursing
Physician's Role - psychology
Politics
Power (Psychology)
Professional Autonomy

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