Sammanfattning
This article was written as part of a Master's thesis for the MSc in Public Health, the purpose of which was to study the concept of power in the "motivational interview" method used in the work of health promotion. The example used in the study is the course "Change track - Stay on track (Skift kurs - Hold kursen)" run by Horsens Municipality, where the motivational conversation is used to help overweight children and their parents achieve a healthy and active lifestyle.
The data collection was undertaken on three course groups with 10 participating children. Interviews were undertaken with three health care professionals and five parents, and observation of conversations between health care professionals and families was carried out.
According to the study, the course "Change track - Stay on track" involves a subtle and invisible power, which is exercised via control and guidance of the families' behaviour. However, as the power is considered to be of assistance to the families, and since it takes its starting point in a wish to help, the exercise of power appears legitimate. Nor do the families experience the exercise of power negatively; conversely, they seek out the expert's knowledge and control. Consequently, the study concludes that the health professional does not necessarily always need to distance himself/herself from taking control, taking on the expert role and exercising control in the work of health promotion, which the motivational conversation otherwise prepares the ground for.