A cost/benefit analysis of self-care systems in the European Union

"The study offers added value to existing literature on self-care, which tends to focus on pharmaceutical treatments for the use in self-care. By assessing the effectiveness of self-care treatments, assessing self-care initiatives in cost-benefit analysis and developing a methodlogy for transferability of best-practice self-care initiatives, scientific evidence could be supplemented by a practical guide for policy-makers for identifying and transferring best-practices in self-care. The results highlight that political commitment to self-care is essential for the implementation and uptake of self-care. Further, it shows that for successful self-care initiatives a change in “culture” is necessary, so that patients take responsibility for their own health. In this context, patient information and clear communication is of particular relevance."

A cost/benefit analysis of self-care systems in the European Union
H Ostermann, AT Renner, J Bobek, P Schneider, S Vogler
European Union
April 2015

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