Self Help and Self Medication in Health Care—A Supplement to Professional Domination

Abstract

Self help and self medication are very common and seems an effective and inexpensive way of treating the majority of unwell symptoms. Yet current trends, including the influence of the expanding professional medical system and also legislation, seek to minimise this practice. In fact, detailed information on self care is limited particularly concerning perception of ill health, information sources and decision processes differentiating between self care and seeking health professional assistance. This paper reviews aspects of the practice of self care and concludes that research is needed to find out whether, and under what conditions, self care including self medication should be encouraged and how it can complement, supplement or indeed reduce the need for some types of professional health care.

Self-Care as Primary Health Care: Use by Holistic Health Advocates

“…Some studies have indicated that those who did not consult a physician for ovcr two years reported comparable morbidity to those who consulted professionals regarding their symptoms (Anderson et al, 1977;Gannik & Jesperscn, 1980). Othcr studies indicate that the home can be a good place to give diagnostic tests, since it Is a less stressful environment than a physician's office; and home tests usually provide accurate results (Katz, 1979;Darby, 1977).…”