Self-care and minor ailments: The view from Canada

Abstract

This manuscript offers a glimpse into the Canadian healthcare system, emphasizing the prevalence and management of minor ailments through self-care practices. The first section outlines the strengths and challenges of the healthcare system, including access issues and escalating costs. The second section explores self-care in Canada, outlines the Self-Care Readiness Index, and Canadians' proactive management of common conditions through self-care activities, including the use of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines. Consumer behaviors, preferences, and the thriving OTC market are discussed. It also discusses existing programs and initiatives encouraging self-care. While lacking a coordinated national strategy, various organizations, including Health Canada, have taken steps to regulate and promote self-care products. The role of pharmacies, industry groups, and public health campaigns in fostering self-care is explored, along with public access to OTC medicines, Rx-to-OTC switching, and consumer expectations related to such medicines. Factors influencing self-care and self-medication are explored, focusing on access to medical care, public perceptions of OTC medicines, and the public's ability to engage in appropriate actions. The crucial role of pharmacists in minor ailment care is examined. Insights are provided into Canada's healthcare landscape, emphasizing the significance of self-care in managing minor ailments. The public has access to many resources on how to engage in self-care and deal with minor ailments, but a formal system to promote them is lacking. The findings prompt considerations for future healthcare policies and public health campaigns, highlighting the evolving nature of healthcare practices in the nation.