Background: The empowerment concept has been applied to chronic metabolic diseases. However, literature reviews to date are inadequate to assess their utilization status.
Purpose: This study was developed to assess the application of empowerment elements and strategies to chronic metabolic diseases and then propose suggestions for improvement.
Methods: A literature review was conducted using five Chinese- and English-language electronic databases, including PubMed/MEDLINE. A total of 21 articles on randomized clinical trials related to the application of empowerment intervention program to chronic metabolic diseases were appraised to examine empowerment element and strategy usage.
Results: The empowerment concept was applied mostly with diabetes groups (90.48%). Application rates for the six major elements were 95.24% in action, 47.62% in dialogue, 33.33% in feedback, 23.81% in building partnership, 23.81% in reflection, and 19.05% in listening. Application rates for the six major strategies were 95.24% in action planning and behavior change, 80.95% in goal-setting and plan, 52.38% in problem solving and obstacle overcoming, 47.62% in identifying concerns and problems, 33.33% in motivation and self-awareness, and 23.81% in review and continuous self-management. CONCLUSION / IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Healthcare professionals are found generally lacking in the application of elements including "building partnership," "listening," and "reflection" and strategies including "motivation and self-awareness" and "review and continuous self-management" when applying empowerment programs to chronic metabolic disease patients. Therefore, the authors suggest that healthcare professionals fully apply the six major empowerment elements and strategies to clinical practice and studies to help thoroughly promote the spirit of empowerment and empower patients with chronic disease to take charge of their life and recovery.
Keywords: chronic metabolic diseases; empowerment; literature review.