Toward patient-centered care and inclusive health-care governance: a review of patient empowerment in the UAE

Objectives: The purpose of this article was twofold. We aimed to both clarify the multidimensional notion of patient empowerment (PE) and conduct a comprehensive survey of PE-related literature in the specific context of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Study design: The study objectives were achieved by means of a two-phased systematic review of the literature on PE and associated dimensions. Methods: The first phase consisted in the database search for recent review articles on the construct of PE that were published in the past five years. The second phase focused on the identification of extant empirical research on PE and related concepts in UAE settings. In total, 13 review articles and 17 empirical studies were eligible and included in our analysis. Results: The retained PE review articles pointed to two major themes and four topics on ‘conceptual clarification’ and ‘contextual embeddedness’ where PE was tackled in relation to national health-care system, health-care governance, information technology, and therapeutic continuum. Our analysis of UAE-based PE studies unveiled three themes on ‘chronic disease care’ (with three topics of ‘general inquiries’ ‘diabetes management’ and ‘diabetic complications’), ‘self-medication with drugs’ and ‘non-therapeutic interventions’. By juxtaposing the identified PE themes and topics, we derived three promising opportunities for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to consolidate, expand, and initiate relevant PE interventions in the UAE. Conclusion: This review article found that PE represents an emergent and underexplored notion in the UAE health-care system. As UAE ambitions to become a sought-after medical hub in the global arena, the design and implementation of adequate PE strategies and reforms play a critical role in the development of a world-class patient-centered health care in the country.