SELF-CARIFOB HFA 2000

Abstract

Biomedical research, no less than research in other fields, is conceived, designed and conducted almost exclusively by professionals. In view of the time-consuming mastery of knowledge and skills and costly technology that modern research demands it is difficult to see reasonable alternatives to this established approach. The role of the lay public does not extend beyond the giving of informed consent where the experiment utilizes human subjects itself the result of a relatively recent reexamination of pertinent ethical issues and of public pressure. Paradoxically this professional dominance applies even to areas such as self-care in health although the concept of self-care includes not only an active share in the process of care but extends to independent decision making by the patient in all aspects of his/her health care. Possibly lay involvement in research in self-care may become a reality in the future with the strengthening of its knowledge and skill bases. Even then professional Participation would still be needed to assure application of scientific methods. At the same time research conducted by professionals can be equally objective and provide valuable insights into a component of health-care whose dimensions are still largely unknown. Identification and development of, its beneficial aspects can contribute considerably to the attainment of HF A/2000 whose tenets incorporate individual responsibility and participation in all aspects of health development.