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Medical Self–Care: What is it?
by Gail Carlson, MPH Ph.D. State Health Education Specialist for University Extension, University of Missouri-Columbia
Have you ever ended a conversation with the phrase 'Take
Care'?
It seems that "Take Care" is replacing "Good Bye" as the
friendly ending of phone conversations and visits. There
is also an important health message in these two words.
One of the changes occurring in the health care
system is the expectation that individuals will take
more responsibility for their own health. Practicing
medical self care is one way of taking more control.
Medical self-care is defined as those things that
individuals do to deal with minor illness and injuries
at home. This includes preventing, detecting, and
treating illness and disease. Data suggests that self
care is already a fact of life. Over 80% of health
problems are treated at home. For example every time
someone takes an over-the-counter drug for a headache
they are practicing self care. Studies also suggest that
an even larger number of health care problems could be
treated at home. As many as 70% of all visits to doctors
for new problems have been termed unnecessary. For
example, 11% of such visits are for uncomplicated colds.
Many other visits are for minor cuts that do not require
stitches, for tetanus shots even though the person is
current on their immunizations, and for minor ankle
sprains.
Medical self-care does not involve learning large
amounts of information. It is not about practicing
alternative medicine or using weird home remedies.
Self-care is not a substitute for professional care. One
of the important self-care decisions individuals always
have to make is, "Do I see my health care provider or do
I apply home treatment?" Your goal is to protect your
health and that of your family so you want to practice
sound self care skills like the following:
- Use a medically sound self-care reference such as Take Care of Yourself by Donald M., Vicker, M.D. and James F. Fries, M.D. or Healthwise for Life by Molly Mettler, MSW and Donald W. Kemper, MPH.
- Learn how to take some basic vital signs like temperature, pulse, and respiration and how to do some simple health observations. These skills can help you make better use of your self-care reference as well as communicate more effectively with your health care provider.
- Find a convenient and safe place for your home health care center which includes basic first aid supplies, medications and your self-care reference book.
- Use over-the-counter and prescription drugs in such a way as to avoid over medication.
- Learn to communicate effectively with your health care providers and to use these providers as resources in protecting and maintaining your health.
Learning how to do these tasks more effectively is no
guarantee that family members will stay healthy.
However, learning how to handle common illnesses and
injuries at home, knowing when and how to work with
health care providers, and encouraging healthy lifestyle
behaviors may ease your mind, save you time, help reduce
unnecessary doctor visits and may reduce your family's
health care costs.
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Last Updated 04/25/2008
