Back to basics: re-examining the role of patient empowerment in diabetes

Asimakopoulou, Koula, Gilbert, David, Newton, Paul D. and Scambler, Sasha (2012) Back to basics: re-examining the role of patient empowerment in diabetes. Patient Education and Counseling, 86. pp. 281-283. ISSN 0738-3991

Abstract

The concept of patient empowerment is currently popular in research and at policy level. As early as 2001, the UK Government proposed a diabetes health strategy, wishing to “ensure that people with diabetes are empowered to enhance their personal control over the day to day management of their diabetes in a way that enables them to experience the best possible quality of life” [1] (p. 21). It went on to say that “users of the NHS should have choice, voice and control over their lives, build confidence and be active partners in their care”.

This strategy is reflected in the abundance of papers within the area. A search conducted in July 2010 on Scopus, yielded 17,102 publications, which included ‘empowerment’ in the title, abstract or keywords. Of these, at least 353 were about empowerment in diabetes. There can be no doubt then, that empowerment is a popular topic yet, it is surprising to discover a lack of concordance about the meaning and scope of the term. The UK Government strategy highlighted above, is a case in point. The need to empower diabetes patients is explicitly stated but the means to achieve empowerment in practice is not. This observation reflects a generalised lack of clarity around what ‘empowerment’ actually means.

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