Empowerment in the Healthcare Context: Concept Analysis

Abstract

The concept of empowerment is broad and is frequently viewed as a way to give more power to the powerless in numerous aspects of life. However, the empowerment of patients seeking health care has received less attention. Consequently, this article aims to examine how the notion of empowerment is defined in the scientific literature pertaining to healthcare. This concept analysis was conducted utilizing the eight-step Walker and Avant approach (2014). The data resources used in the analysis were obtained from health-related literature retrieved from the CINAHL, PUBMED, and PsycINFO online databases. Four distinguishing characteristics, including Mutually beneficial connections, Knowledge and skills, Self-determination and shared decision making, and Sharing of social power, were retrieved from the analysis. This concept analysis demonstrated to both patients and medical practitioners the optimal method for initiating the therapeutic relationship. Empowerment can facilitate health professionals' practice and increase patients' and consumers' confidence and happiness with health services. Additional analysis can be conducted to get a fresh understanding of the concept, contributing to the body of health-related information.