Empowerment reconsidered

Click-guides and panic buttons: Designed possibilities for youth agency and user empowerment in online youth counselling services

“…Although there are many different definitions of empowerment, the majority of definitions tend to emphasize the importance of enabling people to make their own decisions and become more active participants in social processes (Alpay et al, 2004; Johannsen and Kensing, 2005). Previous research on empowerment in the area of information and communication technology (ICT) and health services has highlighted the changing conditions of patients and clients using online services (Alpay et al, 2004; D’Alessandro and Dosa, 2001; Johannsen and Kensing, 2005). In many cases, ICT has become a tool for empowering patients and clients of all ages, particularly in the fields of health communication and health guidance (see Johannsen and Kensing, 2005).…”

“…Previous research on empowerment in the area of information and communication technology (ICT) and health services has highlighted the changing conditions of patients and clients using online services (Alpay et al, 2004; D’Alessandro and Dosa, 2001; Johannsen and Kensing, 2005). In many cases, ICT has become a tool for empowering patients and clients of all ages, particularly in the fields of health communication and health guidance (see Johannsen and Kensing, 2005). The overall aim of introducing ICT in health communication has been to transform the relationship between professionals and patients in order to educate individuals to actively monitor and influence their own situations for the sake of better outcomes, lower costs and higher levels of satisfaction among patients or clients (Alpay et al, 2004; Johannsen and Kensing, 2005).…”

“…In many cases, ICT has become a tool for empowering patients and clients of all ages, particularly in the fields of health communication and health guidance (see Johannsen and Kensing, 2005). The overall aim of introducing ICT in health communication has been to transform the relationship between professionals and patients in order to educate individuals to actively monitor and influence their own situations for the sake of better outcomes, lower costs and higher levels of satisfaction among patients or clients (Alpay et al, 2004; Johannsen and Kensing, 2005).…”

“…The upsurge of the digital media landscape has in turn led to a rethinking by societal institutions of how young people access information and navigate in digital media as clients, patients or users (see Alpay et al, 2004). Issues of youth agency in the form of user empowerment have, for example, been of great concern in the field of health communication, particularly with regard to the development of e-services that encourage clients’ and patients’ to develop new ways of taking control over their personal, social and economic well-being (Johannsen and Kensing, 2005). However, when empowerment is discussed in the field of social services, it has most often been concerned with how the media should empower young people to define their own problems and give them opportunities to develop actions and strategies to solve them (Emmison et al, 2011).…”

Locating patient expertise in everyday life

“…Systems designed to meet patients’ information needs (e.g., personal health records) often privilege the provision of professional medical expertise, such as health status or treatment options [17]. Outside the bounds of the health-care system, Internet-based social software (e.g., message boards, web forums, online communities, blogs, and wikis) provides a popular means for peers to share patient expertise about the practical, everyday management of treatment decisions, side effects, social relationships, and daily responsibilities [4].…”