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. 2020 Nov 15;17(22):8458.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph17228458.

Core Values that Influence the Patient-Healthcare Professional Power Dynamic: Steering Interaction towards Partnership

Angela Odero  1 , Manon Pongy  1   2 , Louis Chauvel  1 , Bernard Voz  3 , Elisabeth Spitz  2 , Benoit Pétré  3 , Michèle Baumann  1
Affiliations

Core Values that Influence the Patient-Healthcare Professional Power Dynamic: Steering Interaction towards Partnership

Angela Odero et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Healthcare has long been marked by the authoritative-physician-passive-patient interaction, with patients seeking help and physicians seeking to restore patients back to health. However, globalisation, social movements, and technological advancements are transforming the nature of this relationship. We aim to identify core values that influence the power dynamic between patients and healthcare professionals, and determine how to steer these interactions towards partnership, a more suitable approach to current healthcare needs. Patients with chronic diseases (10 men, 18 women) and healthcare professionals (11 men, 12 women) were interviewed, sessions transcribed, and the framework method used to thematically analyse the data. Validation was done through analyst triangulation and member check recheck. Core values identified as influencing the patient-healthcare professional power dynamic include: (A) values that empower patients (acceptance of diagnosis and autonomy); (B) values unique to healthcare professionals (HCPs) (acknowledging patients experiential knowledge and including patients in the therapeutic process); and (C) shared capitals related to their interactions (communication, information sharing and exchange, collaboration, and mutual commitment). These interdependent core values can be considered prerequisites to the implementation of the patient-as-partner approach in healthcare. Partnership would imply a paradigm shift such that stakeholders systematically examine each other's perspective, motivations, capabilities, and goals, and then adapt their interactions in this accord, for optimal outcome.

Keywords: NVivo; chronic diseases; core values; patient empowerment; patient participation; patient-as-partner; power; qualitative analysis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
A section of the parent–child framework developed and used in the coding. Verbatim was not included as they are too detailed and voluminous to be displayed. Please see supplementary file 1 for a complete list of (74) items.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Core values that steer patients and healthcare professionals (HCP) interactions towards partnership.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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