'Health repertories': an understanding of lay management of minor ailments.
Data from a programme of research exploring information channels about health and medicines used by young adults (16-24 years old) in the UK were considered, in the light of existing schema and memory theory, to provide a concept of 'health repertories' for self-medication of minor ailments. Focus groups comprising a total of 48 young adults were conducted, followed by structured interviews with 76 young adults who visited a community pharmacy to purchase non-prescription medicines or to ask for advice, and case studies from this cohort. We propose that young adults develop a dynamic 'health repertory' of information for management of minor illness episodes, comprising a number of 'entries', and that these repertories are consistent with schema theory. Each 'repertory' includes description/labelling of symptoms, one or more self-medication strategies, and contingency plans (including formal health care intervention), if these strategies fail. Information in the repertory is drawn from both lay and professional channels.
Gray
Nicola J
NJ
Drug Usage and Pharmacy Practice Group, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, England, UK.
Cantrill
Judith A
JA
Noyce
Peter R
PR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004346:Drug Information Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D012651:Self Medication / Q000379:methods*; D006113:United Kingdom