Danner M, Nachtigäller C, Renner A
Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz 2009 Jan;52(1):3-10
PMID: 19189149
Abstract
The characterization of health-related self-help often includes social demands, which indicate that the knowledge on this healthrelated self-help is very small. On the basis of 40 years experience in self-help, the article traces different lines of evolution in health-related self-help. The article describes the development of self-help structures and their success. It illustrates the association between self-help and self-help organisations. It demonstrates the social legitimation of work in self-help. Finally, the article describes current challenges for the work in health-related self-help. Based on the evidence of theses new challenges, for example, the increased significance of rare diseases, the growing scientific foundation of health care or the discussions on the different offers for health-related information and consultation, the article demonstrates the future trends in health-related self-help.