‘First do no harm’: the potential shortfalls of empowerment in diabetes

Abstract

This paper builds on our previous work on empowerment that has identified areas that are problematic for the practical application of the concept of empowerment in the real world, and in particular in clinical settings. What this paper seeks to do is to provide an informed theoretical critique of the practical application of empowerment in an attempt to take the concept, and the debate surrounding it, forward. In doing so, we hope to lay the foundations for assisting healthcare professionals (HCPs) to apply the concept appropriately and constructively in clinical practice through highlighting some of the actual and potential ramifications of the empowerment approach.

Keywords:

• Self-management
• empowerment