Empowerment in the midwifery context-a concept analysis

Objective: the concept empowerment is difficult to understand, define and translate into different contexts. Therefore, the purpose of this paper was to analyze the empowerment concept in the midwifery context, focused on the childbearing period, aimed at clarifying its meaning in order to enable comprehension and use in clinical practice, education and research. Design: semi structured interviews and written text. Setting: prenatal clinics, delivery and maternity wards in western Sweden. Participants: nine midwives and 12 couples. Measurements and findings: a concept analysis was undertaken according to the hybrid model which consists of the theoretical, fieldwork and analytical phases. After a literature review, the concept was empirically elucidated in the fieldwork phase. The final step was to describe criteria and attributes, illustrative cases, antecedents and consequences of the concept. The following tentative criteria and attributes of empowerment in the midwifery context are described: developing a trustful relationship; starting an awareness process, making it possible to reflect on the changing situation; acting based on the parents' situation on their own terms, getting them involved and able to make informed choices; confirming the personal significance of becoming parents. Finally, empowerment in the midwifery context was redefined. Key conclusion: midwives use empowerment in education and research as well as strategies on both the micro and macro levels in practice. Implications for practice: empirical findings from the concept analysis confirm the concept's relevance in the midwifery context. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.