Perceptions of needs related to the practice of self-care for minor illness

Abstract

Aims and objectives: The aim of this study was to describe people's perceptions of needs to feel confident in self-care for minor illnesses as well as their perceptions about supporting and obstructing factors in the practice of self-care.

Background: Minor illness constitutes a large part of primary care, and patients' attendance to doctors' appointments for minor illness has been seen to increase future attendance for the same condition. Almost half of the consultations with telenurses result in the provision of self-care advice.

Design: A cross-sectional survey.

Method: Primary data were collected using a questionnaire, and the study participants (n = 315) were randomly selected from the national Swedish address register.

Results: Having knowledge and receiving health care advice and reliable information were perceived to be needs in order for participants to feel confident in self-care. Having family or friends to consult with was perceived to be a positive factor influencing confidence in self-care, especially for persons under the age of 35. Health care services were perceived to support self-care practice by offering easy access to care, giving information about self-care, and offering increased follow-up after consultations. Lack of knowledge, along with difficulties being away from work, were obstructing factors in the practice of self-care.

Conclusions: Young age was the factor influencing people's perceptions of needs and supporting factors the most. Young age and low knowledge scores about minor illnesses were the two factors that had the most influence on perceived obstructing factors.

Relevance to clinical practice: Nurses play a major role in the promotion of self-care and in the dissemination of self-care advice. If health care services fail to meet the needs of care-seekers with minor illnesses, patients might turn to out-of-hours clinics and emergency departments for help.

Keywords: counselling; district nursing; needs; primary care; self-care; support; symptom control; telenursing.