Abstract
Objective
To discuss the power relations among health care professionals in acute care settings and its interference in the process of knowledge building.
Methods
In this philosophical paper, we explored the influence of power relations on knowledge building using a Foucauldian and critical perspective of Gramsci and Freire related to nursing and health care practices.
Results
There are four sources of organizational power (decision-making, discretion, control of resources, and control of knowledge/network) that act at different levels of healthcare organizations. Intensive care units are an important segment of healthcare setting, and the complexity involved in the daily activities of professionals in this sector can lead to difficult power relations in the process of knowledge building. For instance, when professionals external to the ICU team that hold specific knowledge need to be contacted to help in cases, such as during organ donation and transplantation process. In this situation it is necessary to deconstruct the competitive power in order to build the collaborative power.
Conclusion
Using Freire’s and Gramsci’s perspectives we argued that lack of knowledge contributes to competitive power which can be overcome if involved individuals engage in the learning process towards a collaborative power approach. Therefore, strategies or action to address interprofessional power imbalances can contribute mutual transformation and change.
Tissue and organ procurement; Health education; Interprofessional relations; Intensive care units