Where is the YOU in healthcare?

When we think about the healthcare system, there is often one aspect of care we do not talk about – YOU!

The fact is that every individual plays a rather significant role and I don’t just mean in terms of a being a recipient of healthcare services, a patient or working as a trained healthcare professional. I mean everyday people providing an element of service.

This is known as lay care.

It basically consists of self care, caring for a family member, giving advice, sharing information, emotional support and even volunteering. In fact it accounts for about 80% of all care and is rooted in every form of formal healthcare.

From the time we were children from our parents looking after us when we are ill, asking for advice from family and friends when we have any health issues, seeking over the counter pain relief to making the decision to go into hospital – all these are forms of lay care. Another big aspect is from volunteers providing a listening ear and emotional support to carers looking after the elderly/disabled/sick children. It must be mentioned that in most contexts, it is unpaid care/work.

As an intern in the Geriatric ward in Sabah, I recall not always being able to discharge medically stable inpatients. Why? Because they were unable to care for themselves nor were their families equipped to do so. This led to prolonged hospital stay, additional costs and a whole set of issues for the carer such as potential loss of income, issues at work and additional stresses to the individual. Thus begging the question of what services may need to be made available to address these needs and at a higher level perhaps even policies.

Why is it so important for formal healthcare to understand the reach of lay care?

It’s important because it is supplementary to formal healthcare at all levels. It gives us insight into the understanding of illness in the community, when people will seek healthcare, who they are comfortable seeking it from, as well as how changing times and socio-economics is causing a shift in the ability of ordinary people to provide care. This information is crucial in designing our healthcare services, identifying areas we need to improve on and expanding services accordingly.

I would love to hear about your experiences in providing lay care or where it is being provided. Do you think this has changed over time or do you see it changing? What do you think could be done in those instances.