MRC/ESRC POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP

How do people choose between self-care, supported self-care and GP consultation in minor illness?

As demand for health services continues to increase, the ways in which services are provided may need to change to meet that demand. Traditionally in the UK the GP is the focus for health service provision but, increasingly, people are being encouraged to practise more self-care. Health professionals, such as community pharmacists and practice nurses, are offering services that support patients in the self-management of both minor and chronic illnesses. The success of such services will partly depend on the extent to which the public is willing to accept them as alternatives to GP consultations. It is therefore important to understand how people decide between self-care, supported self-care and GP consultation. My PhD work showed that the choice between self-care and professional advice is influenced by many factors, inter-related in a complex way. Future research will aim to further explore these relationships. Results so far suggest that when designing ways to increase and improve self-care, flexible services that meet individuals' needs should be provided. Specifically, by enhancing the way pharmacy services are organised, it is hoped that patients undertaking self-care will experience improved access to support, delivered in a way that meets their needs and preferences and optimises outcomes.