Self-care and self-medication. An evaluation of individuals' health care decisions.

A panel of six experienced general practitioners evaluated the actions taken by 340 respondents who had experienced a minor symptom or condition in the 2 weeks prior to interview. In only 2% of cases were the actions taken assessed as inappropriate and potentially harmful. The use of leftover prescription medicines was most often disapproved of by the panel. The panel did not agree about the use of home remedies and over-the-counter medicines. Discriminant analysis was used to describe the profile of respondents whose actions the panel considered either appropriate or inappropriate.