The Meanings of Empowering Encounters From Patients' Perspectives in Nursing Health Counselling. A Scoping Review

BACKGROUND: The global increase in public health problems has highlighted the need to understand how health counselling can support individuals more effectively. Exploring how patients experience empowering approaches in nursing encounters is important for developing health counselling. AIM: This review aimed to synthesize findings related to the meaning of empowering encounters in nursing health counselling. METHODS: The review followed a scoping review methodology based on Arksey and O'Malley. Data were collected from PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and PsycArticles, covering the period from January 2000 to February 2024. Two authors independently selected the articles meeting the inclusion criteria, and the studies were screened using the Covidence software. Studies were assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Quality Assessment Checklist. An inductive content analysis process was used for data extraction and synthesis of the results. RESULTS: The search identified 1753 articles that were transferred to Covidence. Duplicate articles were excluded. A total of 1044 articles were screened based on their titles and abstracts. The selected studies (n = 18) addressed the research questions and met the inclusion criteria. The findings were categorized into three themes representing patients' perceptions of the meanings of empowering encounters: (1) confirming faith, (2) awakening hope and (3) caring communication. CONCLUSION: Empowering encounters play a significant role in successful nursing counselling. Encounters increase patient empowerment when they feel seen, listened to, and understood as individuals. Personnel should have sufficient time, continuity in nurse-patient relationships, and current knowledge. Patients need kindness, a positive attitude, support and encouragement. A good encounter empowers and strengthens faith, hope, and the ability to achieve well-being and health, which are central concepts in caritative caring, highlighting the importance of compassionate presence and holistic support.