title: Paternalistic, didactic health care is unsustainable in the UK.
abstract: Further to Lynn Young's article on quantifying self-care (reflections July 18), I agree that we need to encourage patients with long-term conditions to be empowered through self-care, starting from when they receive their diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
authors.forename: Trish
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cornell