Pfizer survey finds consumers actively seeking self-care solutions
ROCKVILLE, Md. — Consumers are ready for the self-care wave.
According to a new national survey released Wednesday, people are taking greater ownership of their health, demonstrating knowledge and resourcefulness when it comes to healthcare-related matters. As many as 64% of respondents believe they could be making more decisions about their health and wellness. The survey shows that the majority of surveyed individuals (88%) feel confident in their abilities to take responsibility for their health and 89% agree that they know where to look and whom to ask if they have health questions or concerns.
“The survey findings demonstrate that people have a growing desire to manage their own health and take on these important decisions personally and for their loved ones," stated Ray Bullman, EVP NCPIE. "In addition to working with healthcare professionals, individuals are actively seeking ways to treat, diagnose and manage their health conditions and want the information and tools to do it better.”
Survey findings revealed that the majority of people agree that over-the-counter products are important tools for better managing their own health, but more than a third (38%) express uncertainty that they have enough information to confidently decide which OTC product is right for them. As such, more than half of people (56%) seek the advice of their PCP, pharmacist or other healthcare provider to help them choose the right OTC product.
Key survey findings include:
An overwhelming proportion of people (92%) like being able to have better control of their health, and believe they are expected to be active in managing their own health now more than ever before (80%);
While 95% of people associate self-management of health with good habits such as diet and exercise, a majority (more than 80%) also identify actions such as engaging in screenings and wellness check-ups (88%), preventative care (87%), consultations with doctors (83%) and decision-making about how they want to deal with a health problem (87%);
People are researching health problems and symptoms (67%), tracking health indicators such as weight and blood pressure (64%) and taking OTC products to manage acute health conditions (59%);
More than one-third of people (34%) strongly agree that they rely on doctors to help manage their healthcare, with a similar number (32%) reporting that they primarily see a doctor to treat a disease or condition;
When it comes to health-related matters, one in three people are actively talking to their doctors (34%) and their pharmacists (33%);
60% of PCPs see themselves as central drivers of healthcare, with 50% agreeing that reliance on a doctor is a primary reason that people don’t readily engage in self-care activities (versus 23% of people);
A majority of people (77%) and PCPs (63%) agree that OTCs allow individuals to address health issues more quickly;
80% of people say they understand that appropriate use of OTCs is key to ensuring safety; and
More than half (56%) of people seek the advice of their PCPs, pharmacists or other healthcare providers to help them choose the right OTC product.
“With so much information at our fingertips today, advances in technology and more medicines to treat and manage conditions, we need to make sure that health education initiatives keep pace. There is an ongoing need to educate individuals with accurate and up-to-date information so they can continue to take an active role in their own care and that of their loved ones,” Bullman said. “An informed, empowered and confident individual who practices self-care can often feel better faster and save time and money – be it by use of OTCs, avoiding unneeded doctor visits, and diagnosing and treating conditions earlier. Informed, efficient use of health resources ultimately benefits the health system in terms of costs and utilization. This is something we can all invest in and support.”
The survey was conducted by Ipsos in collaboration with the National Council on Patient Information and Education and Pfizer. It examined the current perceptions, behaviors and trends among a nationally representative sample of 2,024 U.S. individuals, aged 18 and older, 516 primary care physicians as they relate to managing an individual’s health and wellness, and navigating a changing healthcare landscape.
