In order to understand the needs and desires
of consumers when suffering and treating minor
ailments two research programmes were undertaken;
a nationwide quantitative study on health and
a qualitative attitudinal survey. Below are
the results highlights
- 91% of adults suffer at least one minor
ailment over a two week period - the average
number of ailments suffered by adults is
five. Common colds
and headaches are the most widely reported
of ailments.
- 10% of these common ailments are reported
to the GP, resulting in 96 million consultations,
63 million prescriptions - 14% of all NHS
prescriptions. A huge work load for the GP
when the expertise is available at the pharmacy.
- 86% of consumers agree that the chemist
is a good source of advice /information about
minor medical problems. Six out of ten people
feel that people should use pharmacists for
advice on minor ailments more often, the
doctor less often.
- Consumers are more willing and interested
now to manage minor episodes of ill-health
- One of the biggest barriers to self-treatment
expressed was the lack of sufficient knowledge,
particularly in terms of diagnosing the problem.
Reassurance was found in detailed advice.
- Consumers find advice from the media and
health care professionals particularly useful.
Eight out of ten consumers will look for
professional medical advice if they are at
all unsure about a problem.
- Once a course of action has been taken
consumers will tend to repeat it. This is
particularly true when consumers visit GP
and receive a prescription.
- Consumers wanted reasoned explanations
and actionable advice. Messages of encouragement
to self treat from Government were likely
to be mistrusted, with people feeling that
access to the NHS was being denied. Messages
from a cross section of representatives of
health professions and consumers were more
likely to be well-regarded.
Notes for editors
These key points are taken from two studies:
- Consumer study of self-medication in Great
Britain, BRMB International, May 1997.
- Consumer perspectives of OTCs and self-medication,
Expressions Planning, June 1997.
For further information please contact:
Karen Kelshaw
Consumer Health Information Centre
tel: 020 7421 9314
fax: 020 7421 9317
email: karen.kelshaw@pagb.co.uk
Pam Prentice
Doctor Patient Partnership
tel: 020 7383 6144
out of office hours: 0780 3399826
email: pprentice@bma.org.uk
Marianne Smith
Doctor Patient Partnership
tel 020 7383 6828
fax: 020 7383 6966
email: msmith@bma.org.u
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