Exploring patient empowerment: The link between satisfying physician relationship and patient involvement. Issue 1 (30th October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ippolito, Adelaide; Smaldone, Francesco; Ruberto, Margherita
• Is Part Of: TQM journal. Volume 32:Issue 1(2020)
• Page Start: 92
• Page End: 109
• Publication Date: 2019-10-30
• Subjects: Patient satisfaction -- Participation -- Empowerment -- Patient involvement -- Physician relationship -- Self-management; Total quality management -- Periodicals; 658.562
• DOI: 10.1108/TQM-04-2019-0096
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1754-2731

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to develop a research framework for exploring and improving patient empowerment through the analysis of the effects produced by a satisfying physician relationship on patient involvement in the healthcare process. Design/methodology/approach: The authors begin with a literature review of patient empowerment in healthcare, useful to highlight the importance of relational aspects. Then, the authors tested the hypotheses of the research through the analysis of 450 questionnaires. The results are analyzed through covariance-based structural equation modeling. Findings: This paper highlights how empowerment is a more complex phenomenon, needing many dimensions to be investigated. The hypotheses were tested, and correlations computed, highlighting a medium-strong positive correlation between physician relationship and patient involvement determining satisfying patient empowerment. Research limitations/implications: The considerations conducted in the paper are restricted to physician relationship and needs further research aimed to analyze and evaluate the changes in the patient behaviors influenced by empowerment. Practical implications: The research points offer new insight into patient empowerment and allow the healthcare provider to create new opportunities for promoting patient empowerment through the development of quality relationship for effective patient involvement. Originality/value: The study developed contributes new insight about patient empowerment in the healthcare management literature, proving the key role of satisfying physician relationship useful for future researches.