The determinants of time spent on self-care. (June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Forbes, Hannah; Sutton, Matt; Richardson, Gerry; Rogers, Anne
• Is Part Of: Chronic illness. Volume 12:Number 2(2016:Jun.)
• Page Start: 98
• Page End: 115
• Publication Date: 2016-06
• Subjects: Self-care -- long-term condition -- socioeconomic background -- time -- informal care; Chronic diseases -- Periodicals; 616.04405
• DOI: 10.1177/1742395315614380
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1742-3953

Abstract

Purpose: More input from the individual into the management of their health has the potential to reduce demand on the formal care system and improve health outcomes. A variety of interventions have been developed to encourage such 'self-care', particularly for populations with long-term conditions. However the equity consequences of such initiatives are relatively unknown as there is little evidence on the social and economic determinants of time spent on self-care. Key methods: We estimate the social and economic determinants of time spent on self-care. We also examine whether patients spend time on self-care because they are compensating for lack of access to formal health care. We undertook regression analyses of eight self-care and formal care measures from a dedicated survey of 300 patients with long-term conditions. Main results: We found that higher income is associated with less time spent on self-care. Various measures of access to formal health care are found to not be associated with time spent on self-care. Main conclusion: People from a lower socioeconomic position spend more time managing their condition even when there is universal entitlement to health care.