The role of self care in a

sustainable healthcare

system

Deon Schoombie

Australian Self Medication Industry

Overview

• Defining self care

• Challenges in creating a sustainable healthcare

system

• UK experience with self care

• Consumer perspectives on self care

• Impact of non-prescription medicines

• An Australian Self Care Alliance

Common themes

• Individuals, children, families, friends, communities &

carers

• Promoting health, preventing illness & accidents,

managing illness & disability

• With or without support of healthcare professionals

• Encompassing all aspects of daily life - hygiene,

nutrition, lifestyle, environmental & socio-economic

factors & cultural beliefs

3

Definitions of self care

• WHO: 1983,1998 & 2013

Self care is the ability of individuals, families and

communities to promote health, prevent disease and

maintain health and to cope with illness and disability

with or without the support of a healthcare provider.

• Segall & Goldstein (1989):

Self care is the basic level of healthcare in all

societies.

4

Self care – what it isn’t

• Self care doesn’t mean no care

• It doesn’t mean diverting people away from

healthcare services

• It doesn’t mean individuals are left to look after

themselves

• Self care is not what individuals do instead of

going to the doctor, it’s what they do between

visits.

Person-centred care

• Respect for values, needs & preferences but

also acknowledging capacity, capabilities & skills

• Partnership & responsibility - sharing &

collaborating

Challenges

Australian Health Policy Institute report (2001):

• There is far more that we can do than we can afford to

do.

• There is a problem with rising community expectations

• The ageing population

• Increasing willingness to pay for expansion of medical

care through government spending alone

• All of us need to be better informed about health so our

choices can be more intelligent & demands for

healthcare becomes more restrained than they are.

UK Self Care Policy

• 2000 - Self care on national health agenda

• 2000 – Pharmacists positioned on frontline of

self care strategy

• 2000 – Wanless report:

– Fully engaged patient in all aspects of healthcare

– The patient as partner & resource

– Self care a prime example of effective partnership

– Evolutionary strengthening of patient responsibilities

Consumer perspectives

Eppossi Barometer (2013):

• Consumers understand the concept & benefits

• They see it as vital part of managing health & disease

• They acknowledge responsibility & are willing to take on

more

• Minority feels confident to do so

• Health literacy is pivotal

• Consumers don’t view self care as a partnership with a

healthcare professional

Recommendations

• New policies needed to define role of healthcare

professionals in self care

• Greater emphasis on shared care

• Government must make self care integral to health policy

• Government should seek improved partnerships with

stakeholders to improve outcomes by sharing data &

resources

• Key role of health insurers & healthcare providers need

to integrate incentives for self care

Impact of self medication

Current impact:

• 1 in 9 consumers use NMPs regularly – 80% adults &

40% children

• Savings of $10.4bn

• For every $1 spent $4 saved

Potential future impact through “switch”:

• $2.1bn in savings

A new population health strategy

What will it take?

• Securing a champion

• Constructing partnerships

• Engaging with private health sector

• Meaningful consultation

• Promoting accountability – monitoring progress

& empowering citizens

The case for self care in Australia

• Translating greater personal responsibility into

practice

• Recognise consumers as a healthcare resource,

not just users

• Making better use of professional healthcare

resources

• A partnership approach is vital

• Starting a systematic debate - Australian Self

Care Alliance

Thank you

deon@asmi.com.au