The Perspective of Patients on Their Experience of Powerlessness

Abstract

Although self-determination is a key issue in empowerment, the perspective of patients on their experience of empowerment has been poorly investigated. The authors have attempted to understand better what the process of empowerment means to patients by investigating the situations and feelings of powerlessness from which a process of empowerment might evolve. They conducted 40 interviews of patients with various chronic conditions and looked for the commonalities in their experiences of powerlessness. Their findings show that powerlessness extends well beyond strictly medical and treatment-related issues, as the study participants all expressed or demonstrated to have at some point or another experienced a distressing feeling of insecurity and a threat to their social and personal identities. The authors therefore suggest that an empowering provider-patient interaction should address these issues by providing for reassurance and opportunities for self-exploration as a prerequisite to participation and self-determination in treatment-related decisions.

Anxious and depressed women's experiences of emotional suffering and help seeking in a Rio de Janeiro favela

“…The literature on experiences of patients diagnosed with CMD in community-based primary care services demonstrates challenges such as health professionals' communication abilities about the emotional suffering 18 and continuity of care 19 ; psychosocial interventions tailored to primary care setting in different cultural contexts 20,21 ; and the relationship between patients, services and primary mental health care 22,23 . Bearing in mind the WHO Mental Health Gap discussion 24 , this study tackled to emphasise patient's experiences of mental health suffering 25 in a vulnerable 26 and unequal 27 context where primary mental health care have been set up 28 .…”

A Digital Patient-Led Hospital Checklist for Enhancing Safety in Cataract Surgery: Qualitative Study (Preprint)

“…Hospitals need to facilitate a good transition and recovery at home will improve if patient and caregiver together have explored patient-tailored strategies for this period. In line with Aujoulat et al (2007), who have described the success factors for patient empowerment, the basics of patient empowerment are to provide reassurance and opportunities for selfexploration on how to manage their illness [14]. Second, patients may experience a smaller gap between care professional and patient, which could help them discuss personal questions or issues that may interfere with their treatment.…”

“…Nowadays, patient participation has increasingly been recognized as a key component in the improvement of healthcare since, in contrast to healthcare staff, patients are around during all steps of their care pathway [10][11][12][13]. However, many studies showed the role of patients as active participants in safety seems to be limited to listening well and speaking up when concerned [14][15][16][17].…”

Living with Encapsulating Peritoneal Sclerosis (Eps): The Patient's Perspective

“…This theory sits well with how participants NOVEMBER 2014 -VOL. 34, NO.7 PDI in this study described the impact of EPS, renegotiating and redefining their roles, losses and how everyday living was part of the process. The empowerment participants strove for was related to their own belief in their ability to manage their long-term condition.…”

“…Recommendations for clinical management have focused on nutritional support, 759 PDI NOVEMBER 2014 -VOL. 34,NO.7 EPS: THE PATIENT'S PERSPECTIVE surgical intervention and practical pre-and postoperative care in hospital (1). The social and psychological impact of this disease has not previously been investigated.…”