In the past this aura of reserved information to the initiated few was carefully preserved. It gave prestige. It gave authority, and, if one might dare acknowledge, it discouraged the patient from asking questions, which the doctor, for any amount of reasons, might not be in a position to answer. In fact, this situation led to a distinction between We haves and have-nots of knowledge. More importantly, it led to an increasing helplessness oil the part of the patients who became prone to leave even the simplest issues to thee doctor, or even, the consultant.
Patient empowerment is a dual challenge.
It involves a more professional approach by family doctors themselves. For the doctor who disseminates is one who is sure of his status, of his knowledge, of his ability to heal. No one is in a position to empower anyone else if his own power-base, in this base, in this case knowledge, is threatened. This brings us to another point, the need of doctors to keep abreast of information and discoveries. No mean feat this, when one considers the vast amount of knowledge constantly being updated.