Me, Myself and I - Taking care of my Health-care

Playing an active role in your health care saves time in a hospital waiting room. Self care means practicing persona health maintenance and taking a greater personal responsibility for our own well-being. Not only in working to prevent illness, but also by being an active team member in managing our illness if we fall sick.

Over time the aging population, higher incidence of chronic illness and the demand of local hospitals has led to a shift in the way people care for their health. The result is more Thai people are taking matters into their own hands.

The old idea of seeing the doctor because you're sick is being replaced by the notion of seeing a doctor to work out a health plan for the rest of our life, working as a team: you, the doctor, pharmacist, natural therapist or any other of the allied health workers with your well-being in mind.

There was a time, that Thai people relied on pharmacists to look after our health, and we took their advice. As a kid, going to the doctor was expensive and I remember my mum taking me to the pharmacy, where 'Uncle Lee' assessed my pallor and took my temperature as he explained symptoms.

This easy and local health assessment was and is in some rural areas of Thailand a valuable and many people relied on the professionalism of the pharmacist to help.

This practice changed when the Thai government introduce the first health care plan, and regular people could visit the hospital while paying only 30 THB. In many cities, gone was the advice of the local pharmacist as clinics overflowed with people crowding instead to a local hospital – often with nothing more than a simple cold – a condition easily be managed by a pharmacist.

The result of this new and overwhelming demand was that the time span of the average consultation shortened, with many doctors seeing patients every eight minutes or shorter.

That's not enough time to undo you buttons and take your shirt off in order to have a basic physical examination! The chance you leave the hospital with some unrelated medicine has increased dramatically, Paracetamol or some antibiotics are almost standard included to the medication you receive after a hospital visit.

Therefor take matters into your own hands, your health plan should focus on reducing the risks of developing chronic illnesses. Initiate your plan as early as possible.

• Have a check-up – Book a long appointment for a thorough medical, It'll take time for your doctor to assess your medical background and family history.
• Investigate your family history – Identify any relevant hereditary conditions.
• Make a list of immunizations – And remember adult vaccination can protect against the flu...