SummaryThis paper describes the origins and definitions of the concept of diabetes empowerment. It summarises why 'compliance' was considered to be a problematic term in diabetes and why it was replaced by 'self-management' which, in turn, paved the way for introducing the concept of empowerment. Although empowerment is a popular and helpful concept and process, it comes with several important underlying assumptions about the health care professional (HCP)-patient encounter, patient understanding, memory and willingness to become empowered, and finally the HCP's view on the validity of the concept. All these assumptions, it is argued, need further testing before the concept and process are fully and wholly embraced in diabetes care across Europe.Eur Diabetes Nursing 2007; 4(3): 94-97.

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