Health promotion and patient empowerment in the palliative setting: a case study.

Abstract

This article discusses the concept of health promotion within a palliative care setting and the benefits of health promotion within this context.  Promoting choice and autonomy benefits not only the patient but also impacts upon their family and friends.  Three topics are considered; smoking, oral health and psychological wellbeing.  Using case studies, I elucidate how individualised care planning benefits and empowers the patient.   Barriers to promoting health such as lack of skill and time management are considered, and how these were overcome. The legal, ethical and policy contexts governing best practice nursing care are considered alongside the chosen topics.