Patient Education: A Strategy to Patient Empowerment
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Authors
Susan L. Pasion
Issue Date
1998
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
The health care industry is rapidly changing. Changes include the shift from brand name pharmaceutical products to generic versions, consolidation of health care providers, provision of health care through managed care, and disease management initiatives. One important change has been the growing influence of the patient in the health care arena. Patients play a larger role in the emerging health care environment because they are now being asked to share increasing responsibility for the state and care of their health. Preventing illness and controlling its effects when it does occur requires patient participation. Women's health and its determinants, the role of gender, the social context in which women experience life, all play a role in identifying important issues in women's health. The future of women's health can be positively affected by empowering female voices. Because women are major health consumers, it is important that they have participation in both research and policy decisions. There is increased need and a duty for health professionals to communicate with patients efficiently and effectively. For patients to become educated and empowered, health professionals have a duty to keep the patients current in the fields of medical science and health care delivery.