Towards Self-Care in Healthcare

Pharmacies across Australia have been working on the Health Destination Pharmacy model, an initiative the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia says promoted a ‘stronger focus on patient self-care, increased delivery of evidence-based professional services (particularly focusing on assisting patients with minor ailments), leading to greater patient loyalty and increased sales.’
And now the PSA has released a report as it works towards an integration of patient self-care into the national health policy, supported by community pharmacists.
National President of the PSA, Grant Kardachi, said the report, Towards Responsible Self Care noted ‘pharmacy first’ policy for short-term self-limiting ailments would free GP and hospital resources to concentrate on more serious cases.
“Pharmacists are the most accessible of all health professionals and often the first point of contact a consumer has in regard to discussing an issue with a health professional,” Mr Kardachi said.
The Consumers Health Forum also supports the proposal.
“We need to see a cultural change in health care so that patients, in partnership with their doctors and other health professionals, are equipped to manage minor conditions and chronic illness and get the best possible outcome,” said CHF’s Chief Executive Officer, Leanne Wells.
“We hope the Primary Health Networks which launch next month will get the resources to ensure GPs and other health professionals can take a team approach to ensure patients receive holistic care including support to follow a healthy lifestyle of good diet and exercise.
“And this approach needs to be strongly supported for people in lower income areas and for Indigenous patients for whom chronic disease is more prevalent. We know those in lower socio-economic areas need more help.  Good health care should be patient-focused and not a one-size-fits-all approach,” Ms Wells said.
The report was released by the Australian Self Medication Industry