Promoting medical self-care: evaluation of a family intervention implemented in the primary health care by pharmacies

Abstract

Due to the non-randomization procedure, some caution with regard to generalization of the results must be taken, but they are in concordance with established knowledge of the usefulness of medical self-care. The results indicate that a brief intervention for families can change the use of health authorities. It therefore seems meaningful to implement the intervention in a more comprehensive way in the primary health care setting, while at the same time trying to implement it as a large-scale randomized experimental study, comprising aspects such as the individual's need for care, the use of the right organization level and the assessment of economic costs and savings.

Minor illness education for parents of young children

“…This is important if appropriateness of consultation is a more useful indicator of educational success than frequency of consultation (Entwistle et al. 1998, Jewell 1999, Marklund et al. 1999).…”

“…1996, Dewey & Hawkins 1998). It has been suggested that education can improve patients’ knowledge and reduce their need for a professional consultation (Buckley & Kemsley 1995, Callery 1997, Gillam & Pencheon 1998, Impicciatore 1998, Marklund et al. 1999, Entwistle & O'Donnell 2000, Kendrick et al.…”

“…1982, Cunningham‐Burley & Irvine 1987, Holme 1995, Baker & Taylor 1997, Callery 1997, Rogers et al. 1998, Rogers & Nicholaas 1998, Marklund et al. 1999).…”

“…A number of authors hold the view that many consultations for minor childhood illnesses are inappropriate (Wyke et al 1990, Hallam 1994, Hopton et al 1996, Dewey & Hawkins 1998. It has been suggested that education can improve patients' knowledge and reduce their need for a professional consultation (Buckley & Kemsley 1995, Callery 1997, Gillam & Pencheon 1998, Impicciatore 1998, Marklund et al 1999, Entwistle & O'Donnell 2000, Kendrick et al 2000, Little et al 2001. Several studies have used some form of education to try to demonstrate an effect on parental use of health services for childhood illnesses (Anderson 1980, Morrell et al 1980, Sirles 1988, Thornton 1991, Usherwood 1991, Thomson 1999.…”

“…This is because the appropriateness of consultations is assessed using the medical model, which assumes that education can teach a correct response to an illness (Anderson 1980, Morrell et al 1980, Sirles 1988). However, parents manage a large amount of childhood illness at home without consulting a professional (Pattison et al 1982, Cunningham-Burley & Irvine 1987, Holme 1995, Baker & Taylor 1997, Callery 1997, Rogers & Nicholaas 1998, Marklund et al 1999. It has been shown that there is a dichotomy between parental and professional assessment of illness and concerns (Cunningham-Burley & Maclean 1987b, Wyke et al 1990, Cornford et al 1993, Kai 1996, Callery 1997, Sullivan 1997.…”