Clinicians: Greater attention needs to be paid to helping clinicians provide sufficient time to develop mutually acceptable treatment goals with patients, as well as attend to informational needs in difficult-to-treat conditions.

Patients: Educating patients about the importance of seeking support to improve knowledge and a sense of control may enhance empowerment, particularly in difficult-to-manage chronic conditions.

Researchers: Interpersonal and intrapersonal factors in empowerment have been identified but further research is needed to examine causal relationships among key constructs.