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Glossary

  • Power

    The nurse-client relationship is one of unequal power, stemming from the authority associated with their position in the healthcare system, specialized knowledge, influence with other healthcare providers in the decision-making process, and access to privileged information. In any professional-client relationship, there is an imbalance of power in favour of the professional, which is further reinforced in healthcare services by the vulnerability of a client needing care. A misuse of power can be considered client abuse.