Caring versus empowerment: considerations for nursing practice

Abstract

The authors argue that there is a tension between the concepts of caring and empowerment. This tension appears in political and managerial debates over how best to run a health service, and it reappears in the clinical situation in nursing dilemmas over the presentation of information to patients. The authors review the major contributions to theory from health care literature, and use case studies to explore some of the clinical implications of these theories for nursing practice.

Psychological preparation for patients undergoing day surgery

“…(Entwistle et al 1997 p. 69). This is in direct opposition to a fundamental approach within nursing care as highlighted by Malin and Teasdale (1991) in a review of the literature on patient empowerment. "Empowerment implies that nurses must maximise patients' independence and minimise their dependence."…”

“…Other studies have also highlighted the limited opportunities within the healthcare setting to establish a measure of control. For the patient who desires some control in the healthcare situation this can lead to an increase in stress (Miller et al 1989, Malin andTeasdale 1991). Again, this indicates that the healthcare environment can prevent patients from exerting a degree of control i.e.…”

Patient empowerment within a coronary care unit: Insights for health professionals drawn from a patient satisfaction survey

“…It is concerned to foster a more collaborative, less hierarchical, non-coercive and power-sharing partnership based on mutual trust and respect (Gibson, 1991;Malin and Teasdale, 1991;Piper and Brown, 1998). This accords with the developing consumer and advocacy culture in the NHS exemplified by Patient Advice and Liaison Services (DoH, 2002), the Expert Patient (DoH, 2001) and a belief that consumers often knew best about their individual health, had a right to be involved in all related decisions and that there should be mutual respect between consumers and professionals (NHSE, 1997).…”

Creating empowering meaning: an interactive process of promoting health with chronically ill older Canadians

“…As well, the traditional health care approach of doing things to and for a patient to protect them from harm, may decrease personal power (Malin and Teasdale, 1991). Unwitting ageism often further exacerbates the problem (Coupland and Coupland, 1994;McWilliam et al, 1994).…”