As there seem to be more and more places these days where you can buy a remedy for a headache, cough, cold or other minor ailment (and the government is actively encouraging us to do so), we thought that it was a good time to catch up on the consumer’s perspective on self-treatment. We wanted to understand how they approach purchasing medicines and healthcare products on occasions when they don’t feel the need to consult the GP.
A detailed online survey followed qualitative research across different lifestages. We explored how (and why) consumers’ knowledge about health problems varies, and what people do to get more information – both to diagnose their ailment and to find out how to treat it. We investigated where they go to buy remedies, how they use vitamins & supplements, and the role of the pharmacist and internet in providing helpful advice.
Feedback on using the internet revealed that, despite the myriad of online sources, satisfaction isn’t always guaranteed. Problems can occur when checking out a minor ailment online… To read more, please click here
The online self-care generation reports back (PDF)
Please note. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view poll information.
