Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a research framework for exploring and improving patient empowerment through the analysis of the effects produced by a satisfying physician relationship on patient involvement in the healthcare process. Design/methodology/approach The authors begin with a literature review of patient empowerment in healthcare, useful to highlight the importance of relational aspects. Then, the authors tested the hypotheses of the research through the analysis of 450 questionnaires. The results are analyzed through covariance-based structural equation modeling. Findings This paper highlights how empowerment is a more complex phenomenon, needing many dimensions to be investigated. The hypotheses were tested, and correlations computed, highlighting a medium-strong positive correlation between physician relationship and patient involvement determining satisfying patient empowerment. Research limitations/implications The considerations conducted in the paper are restricted to physician relationship and needs further research aimed to analyze and evaluate the changes in the patient behaviors influenced by empowerment. Practical implications The research points offer new insight into patient empowerment and allow the healthcare provider to create new opportunities for promoting patient empowerment through the development of quality relationship for effective patient involvement. Originality/value The study developed contributes new insight about patient empowerment in the healthcare management literature, proving the key role of satisfying physician relationship useful for future researches.

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