n. giving or returning power to someone. Being ill is usually experienced as losing the ability to act as one wishes, and full recovery may only be achieved when the individual feels able to make their own decisions. This may be a problem where professionals insist on deciding for patients with certain conditions (e.g. mental illness). Empowerment involves action to redress the lack or *loss, for instance by offering explanation in a language, style, and level that is appropriate. See also autonomy; feminist ethics; paternalism.
At a personal level, the engagement of individuals in decisions about their health and about the diagnosis, treatment and after-care of their illness, injuries and other disorders. At a public level, the engagement of all members of the public in the planning, provision and performance of their health-care services. Traditionally, at both personal and public levels, the patient has generally been regarded as naturally subordinate to the politicians and managers who plan and run the health-care system(s), and to health professionals and medical institutions who provide personal health care. The public and patients are increasingly unwilling to accept this traditional model and are asserting themselves, for example through patient help groups, complaints, litigation and local political action with the aim of securing changes in how health care is organised and a much greater say in their own care.... patient empowerment
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