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Does NHS Direct empower patients?

Author

Listed:
  • O'Cathain, Alicia
  • Goode, Jackie
  • Luff, Donna
  • Strangleman, Tim
  • Hanlon, Gerard
  • Greatbatch, David

Abstract

NHS Direct is a 24Â h telephone helpline established in England and Wales, UK to offer advice and information for people about health, illness and the National Health Service (NHS) so that they are better able to care for themselves and their families. In 2001/2002 we undertook in-depth home interviews with 60 users of the service in two NHS Direct sites in England. In this paper we consider the extent to which NHS Direct facilitates patient empowerment in terms of helping people to be in control of their health and health care interactions. Our research suggests that NHS Direct facilitates patient empowerment by enabling patients to self care and to access health advice and services. It is also seen to offer the prerequisites for empowerment perceived to be lacking in the wider NHS, including time, respect, listening, support, and information. The service also functions by offering an alternative contact point for people seeking to avoid being labelled 'time wasters' by other busy health care providers. In the context of a wider health service which appears to problematise individuals' ability to make decisions about the appropriateness of seeking health care, NHS Direct legitimises help-seeking actions. Empowerment in the context of NHS Direct has been associated with self care as a way of reducing 'unnecessary' demand on health services. However, health professional and patient perspectives on what is considered necessary demand differ, and in certain contexts, patient empowerment may involve service use as well as self care. Further, our data reveal the context-dependent nature of a concept like empowerment. For example, when people are ill, in pain, or anxious about a loved one, they may value being cared for more than being empowered. Our research suggests that, in addition to its other functions, NHS Direct is also valued as contributing to a sense of being cared for.

Suggested Citation

  • O'Cathain, Alicia & Goode, Jackie & Luff, Donna & Strangleman, Tim & Hanlon, Gerard & Greatbatch, David, 2005. "Does NHS Direct empower patients?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 61(8), pages 1761-1771, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:61:y:2005:i:8:p:1761-1771
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Salmon, Peter & Hall, George M, 2003. "Patient empowerment and control: a psychological discourse in the service of medicine," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 57(10), pages 1969-1980, November.
    2. Glenton, Claire, 2003. "Chronic back pain sufferers--striving for the sick role," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 57(11), pages 2243-2252, December.
    3. Anderson, Joan M., 1996. "Empowering patients: Issues and strategies," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 43(5), pages 697-705, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Fisher, Pamela & Owen, Jenny, 2008. "Empowering interventions in health and social care: Recognition through 'ecologies of practice'," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 67(12), pages 2063-2071, December.
    2. Balta, Maria & Valsecchi, Raffaella & Papadopoulos, Thanos & Bourne, Dorota Joanna, 2021. "Digitalization and co-creation of healthcare value: A case study in Occupational Health," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
    3. Fumagalli, Lia Paola & Radaelli, Giovanni & Lettieri, Emanuele & Bertele’, Paolo & Masella, Cristina, 2015. "Patient Empowerment and its neighbours: Clarifying the boundaries and their mutual relationships," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 119(3), pages 384-394.

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