Conceptual framework
This study used an adapted model of empowered
caring by Falk-Rafael (2001). According to
Falk-Rafael, a successful empowerment program
incorporates thorough knowledge of the patient’s
disease process, active participation, and a network
of social support by the patients, as well as
skill training. Together, these components lead
to increased feelings of empowerment, including
patients’ belief in their abilities to manage their
disease and thus healthy behaviors and positive
clinical outcomes. This led us to develop our
nurse-led empowerment intervention, which
included: (1) knowledge enhancement through
lifestyle modifi cation education; (2) active participation
and a network of social support through
the use of empowerment group discussion; and
(3) skills acquisition through exercise training.