Faculty for Self Care

Facilitating the healthcare that happens without professionals

Our Faculty for Self Care is led by Professor David Peters and Simon Mills.  The Faculty will be working on a number of projects not simply to give people more information on self-care, but to provide resources that engage with people. 

We will be working with a range of stakeholders: charities and social enterprises, patient groups and health professional partnerships.

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Papers

Background to Self Care
90% of common illnesses are already dealt with without bothering health professionals.  Millions of people treat themselves with over the counter products ranging from pharmaceuticals to complementary health.  Research shows that they are more likely to be influenced by friends and neighbours in their choices than by evaluating evidence.  How then can we help people to make good choices?

Our programme of work

We begin by building on a significant Department of Health project which will help develop an integrated programme for self-care.  Our partners include the British Holistic Medical Association.

Plans include:

• A user-friendly guide to a wide range of self-care options, allowing people to create personalised self-care plans.  It will contain clear ratings for likely benefit, risk and cost.
• A trial programme with the Department of Health, providing Health Facilitators in GP practices.
• New design concepts to bring waiting rooms to life: giving people useful information in their average 20 minute wait to see a GP
• Plans to make 'social prescriptions' easier for GPs and other health professionals