Revolutionizing healthcare access: The rise of self-care
This approach aims to empower individuals to make better health decisions through self-monitoring, preventive measures and better access to healthcare products.
Despite many advancements in healthcare, it is a known fact that global healthcare systems are challenged to deliver essential services. Rapid urbanization and industrialization have increased the burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases.
However, self-care offers a promising solution. By empowering individuals to make informed health decisions through self-monitoring, preventive measures and accessible consumer healthcare products, self-care can improve quality of life, reduce healthcare costs and alleviate pressure on public health systems.
Research by the Global Self-Care Federation conducted in 18 countries in the East Asia and Pacific region has shown that self-care as the first treatment option brings significant socio-demographic benefits to individuals, huge cost savings to economies and health care systems, and a significant reduction in physician workload by as much as 186 million hours!
Although it’s not entirely new, the concept of self-care has received more attention recently. This empowers individuals to manage their health and bridge gaps in traditional healthcare systems, with advancements like digital tools and over-the-counter medications increasing accessibility. It consists of strategies that focus on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, preventive treatment, symptom management, and self-monitoring.
Self-care in Europe is seen as a necessity to relieve the burden on national healthcare systems to counteract demographic changes and to alleviate expected decline in the number of healthcare professionals. In this context, self-care strategies are promoted, with a focus on the transfer from prescription to nonprescription medication.
The impact of self-care
During the pandemic, patients understood the importance of self-care in preventing the spread of the virus. Since then, the realization that self-care can significantly impact health has grown. It has benefits across the board, from patients to pharmacists.
For patients. Self-care can provide patients with several benefits, such as empowering them with the required knowledge and resources and giving them control over their health, thereby improving their quality of life. Furthermore, self-care options foster a sense of responsibility and confidence in people while managing their health, leading to improved adherence to treatment plans and health outcomes. Additionally, they promote preventive healthcare by identifying and addressing health issues before they escalate. Altogether, the overall estimated timesaving for patients is almost 11,000 hours worldwide.
For governments. Adoption of self-care strategies can help decrease costs, efficiently utilizing resources and services, expanding access and coverage, and reducing the burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases. In total, the overall cost containment is almost $120 billion worldwide.
For healthcare professionals. The global shortage of healthcare workers is at a very challenging level. The World Health Organization estimates a shortfall of 10 million workers by 2030, primarily in low- and middle-income countries. Adoption of self-care measures can alleviate this pressure, enabling professionals to spend more time to focus on serious conditions. This also enables them to effectively manage their caseload. Through adopting self-care measures, it is estimated that healthcare professionals could collectively save approximately 1.8 million hours annually worldwide.
For pharmacists. The rise in self-care has expanded the role of pharmacists, transforming them into front-line healthcare providers in many regions. Data indicates that at least 93 percent of Americans are living within five miles of a community pharmacy and reported to encounter their local pharmacist nearly 12 times more than their primary care provider. Pharmacists are highly accessible and provide a range of healthcare products, including over-the-counter drugs. They help fill gaps in primary care, providing convenient and affordable healthcare to communities, particularly in underserved areas. Particularly in remote areas where access to primary care might be limited, pharmacists play a crucial role in self-care by providing essential healthcare products and consultations for minor ailments such as pain relief, common symptoms and allergies.
It's important to remember that self-care complements, and does not replace, professional medical advice.
Bridging the gap between self-care and traditional healthcare
The COVID-19 pandemic has left many healthcare systems battered, with limited resources struggling to meet patient needs. Additionally, it has also exposed the vulnerabilities of healthcare systems, in Southeast Asia in particular. Self-care options can play a critical role in alleviating this pressure, and creating a more efficient, patient-centric model.
Self-care empowers individuals to manage their health, reducing reliance on facility-based services. This can be achieved by managing chronic conditions at home or utilizing over-the-counter medications for minor ailments, freeing up valuable time for healthcare professionals. Additionally, self-care education and tools empower patients to proactively monitor their health, identify potential issues early on, and seek timely professional help when needed, ensuring they receive appropriate care while optimizing healthcare worker capacity.
The seamless integration between self-care and traditional healthcare models, spurred by digital innovations, is already a reality today in several different forms.
Telemedicine. During the pandemic, telemedicine emerged as a safe and preferred alternative for non-severe cases. This technology enables patients to connect with doctors remotely for consultations, prescription refills and follow-up appointments. This reduces unnecessary in-person visits, freeing up valuable time for healthcare professionals to focus on complex cases.
Wearable health monitoring devices. Advancements in technology have given rise to wearable devices that track various health parameters, like heart rate, blood sugar levels and sleep patterns. This real-time data empowers patients to monitor their health proactively, identify potential issues early on, and share this information with healthcare professionals for better-informed treatment decisions.
Medication adherence apps. Medication adherence plays a crucial role in managing chronic conditions. Self-care apps can send medication reminders, track adherence patterns and connect patients with pharmacists for support. This improves medication management, leading to better health outcomes and reducing the need for frequent hospital visits.
Online educational resources. Self-care education empowers individuals to take charge of their health. Online platforms provide access to reliable information on various health topics, disease management strategies and healthy lifestyle choices. This empowers patients to make informed decisions about their well-being and collaborate effectively with healthcare professionals.
The evidence-based benefits of these models are already emerging. A study conducted in the Philippines during the pandemic found telemedicine to be a safe and effective alternative for non-severe cases. Three in five people surveyed preferred telemedicine, highlighting its convenience and effectiveness. Telemedicine represents just one example of how self-care can integrate with traditional healthcare delivery. Wearable health monitoring devices, medication adherence apps and online educational resources are additional tools that empower patients and keep healthcare professionals informed.
For example, PSPhere is a HealthTech program that provides care “beyond the pill” by providing important value-added services beyond prescribing medication. PSPhere is a digital patient support program that enables communication between patients and other healthcare stakeholders involved in the care journey through omni-channel platforms. Providing patients with the tools and information they need to make informed decisions about their health and actively participate in their treatment plans, self-care is empowered within the Rx model. Several leading biopharmaceutical and medical device companies currently use PSPhere across markets in Southeast Asia and North Asia.
Similarly, by placing the patient at the center of the healthcare process, healthcare providers can expand their understanding and enhance coordination between stakeholders, boosting engagement and care delivery. It’s important to facilitate conversations between patients, doctors, and nurses based on each person’s needs, thereby boosting mutual accountability, and improving the patient’s experience.
The future of healthcare
As many markets continue to grapple with a growing population and resource-strapped healthcare systems, self-care is emerging as a transformative force. Self-care can significantly reduce the burden on overwhelmed facilities by empowering individuals to manage their health through self-monitoring, prevention, and responsible use of consumer healthcare products.
Imagine a future where chronic conditions are managed effectively at home, minor ailments are treated with readily available over-the-counter medications, and early intervention prevents complications. This shift towards self-care fosters a collaborative approach to health, with empowered patients and healthcare professionals working together to achieve optimal outcomes.
By embracing self-care, there is a significant potential to create a more sustainable, efficient, and empowered healthcare system for all.
Bijay Singh heads the healthcare business unit of DKSH, also known as DiethelmKellerSiberHegner, a Swiss holding company specializing in market expansion services.