Self-help: What future role in health care for low and middle-income countries?

ABSTRACT: In the debate on 'Third options' for health care delivery in low- and middle-income countries it is proposed that self-help should play a larger role. Self-help is expected to contribute towards improving population health outcomes and reducing government health care expenditure. We review scope and limitations of self-help groups in Europe and South Asia and assess their potential role in health care within the context of health sector reform.Self-help groups are voluntary unions of peers, formed for mutual assistance in accomplishing a health-related purpose. In Europe, self-help groups developed out of dissatisfaction with a de-personalised health care system. They successfully complement existing social and health services but cannot be instrumentalized to improve health outcomes while

SUBMITTER: Nayar K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC419364 | biostudies-literature | 2004 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature