台灣的醫療保險制度趨向於分類醫學和轉診系統。最佳目標是透過社區藥局和/或基層醫療院所建立轉診系統來減輕健康保險系統的負擔。個人的自我照護行為和能力被認為是轉介制度的基礎，繼而提高台灣的醫療服務品質。
本研究的目的是評估特定區域民眾現行自我照護能力。本研究結果可應用在未來健康促進政策。
本研究之“自我照護行為問卷”是訪問進入當地社區藥局的民眾收集而來。此問卷是根據年齡、性別、教育、獲取醫療訊息來源、是否使用營養保健品設計的。
參與者的人數在性別上是相似的，年齡主要在30至60歲之間。大學以上學歷不到40％。年輕人（年齡≤30歲）透過網站搜尋醫療資訊的比例和諮詢專業人員（醫師或藥師）的比例差不多，而年齡超過50歲的參與者則傾向於尋求專業建議（≥70％）。大部分使用營養保健品的參與者年齡超過60歲（≥71％）。有趣的是，這和民眾的教育程度有正相關性。自我照護最常見的問題則是頭痛、皮膚問題（包括過敏）和失眠。
根據這項研究的結果，社區藥師可以在民眾尋求OTC藥品或營養保健品時提供專業諮詢。鑑於許多人通過網站獲得醫療資訊，應鼓勵社區藥局建立醫療保健資訊站，以提供更適當的醫療訊息，提升社區的自我照護能力。 The Health insurance system in Taiwan has trended toward classified medicine and a referral system. The optimal goal is to reduce the burden of the health insurance system by establishing a referral system via community pharmacies and/or general practices. Individuals’ self-care behavior and ability are considered the basis of a referral system, subsequently may enhance the quality of medical service in Taiwan.
The aims of this study were to evaluate the facts of self-care capabilities of residents in the selected areas. The outcomes may provide health promotion stratagem in the future.
This "Self-care behavior Questionnaire" collected from those who visit the local community pharmacies. The Questionnaires were designed according to age, gender, education, acquisition of medical information means, using nutritional supplements.
The numbers of the participant were similar in both gender, ages were mainly between 30 and 60 years old. There were less than 40% that graduated from college or above. Young people (age ≦ 30) sought medical information through websites as often as they acquired from professionals (physicians or pharmacists), whereas participants, whose age were above 50, tended to ask professional advice (≥ 70%). The participants, who used nutritional supplements, were aged over 60 (≥ 71%). Interestingly, there was a positive correlation to their educational levels. Headaches, skin problems (including allergies) and insomnia were the medical problems most frequently acquired for self-care.
Based on the results of this study, community pharmacists can provide professional consultation when individuals ask for over-the-counters or nutritional supplements. Given that many people obtained information through websites, community pharmacies should be encouraged to build health care information to provide more appropriate medical information, which may elevate self-care capacities in the community.
