Empowerment: Reformulation of a Non-Rogerian Concept

Abstract

The authors present a reformulation of empowerment based upon historical and current perspectives of empowerment and a synthesis of existing literature and Rogerian thought. Reformulation of non-Rogerian concepts familiar to nurses is proposed as a strategy to accelerate the mainstreaming of Rogerian thought into nursing practice and research. The reformulation of empowerment as a participatory process of well-being inherent among human beings may provide nurses with new insights for practice. This paper may also serve as a model for reformulating other non-Rogerian concepts and theories for wider dissemination across the discipline.

A telephone-delivered empowerment intervention with patients diagnosed with heart failure

“…There were no significant differences on the SF-36 functional health dimension of the mental component summary score; across groups, however, the SF-36 mental component summary scores were significantly higher at posttest, with a mean of 50.0 compared with a mean of 45. 9 …”

“…9 In this study, we tested an EI that builds on the strengths of previous telephone-delivered interventions and addresses limits of prior research by providing a patient-centered and theorybased approach focusing on purposeful participation in goal attainment, self-management of HF, and perception of functional health.…”

“…27 From a Rogerian perspective, empowerment entails purposeful participation in change, 9,27 leading to patient outcomes including goal attainment, selfmanagement, and enhanced perception of functional health. From this perspective, patients purposefully participate with nurses to optimize personal health consistent with their own self-management goals.…”

“…8 Empowerment is conceptualized as a relational, dynamic human health process in which the patient recognizes that he or she can purposefully participate in change consistent with self-management of HF. 9 Empowerment is "a complex and participatory process of changing oneself and one's environment, recognizing patterns, and engaging inner resources for well-being." 9 The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a telephone-delivered empowerment intervention (EI) on clinically and theoretically relevant outcomes in patients with HF, including purposeful participation in goal attainment, self-management of HF, and perception of functional health.…”

“…9 Empowerment is "a complex and participatory process of changing oneself and one's environment, recognizing patterns, and engaging inner resources for well-being." 9 The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a telephone-delivered empowerment intervention (EI) on clinically and theoretically relevant outcomes in patients with HF, including purposeful participation in goal attainment, self-management of HF, and perception of functional health. The knowledge gained from this study provides a basis for enhanced patient participation in self-management of HF, attainment of health goals, and fostering perceived functional health.…”