This paper examines the power relations in “patient-centred communication”. Drawing on the work of Michel Foucault I argue
that while patient-centred communication frees the patient from particular aspects of medical power, it also introduces the
patient to new power relations. The paper uses a Foucauldian analysis of power to argue that patient-centred communication
introduces a new dynamic of power relations to the medical encounter, entangling and producing the patient to participate
in the medical encounter in a particular manner.
Keywords Pastoral power - Patient-centred - Confession - Michel Foucault