The report “Self-medication in Portugal: Practices, Determinants, and Behavioral Profiles” analyzes how residents in Portugal manage episodes of illness in their daily lives through self-medication.
Based on data from an unprecedented survey, the report examines when, how, and why individuals resort to this practice, what information underpins these decisions, and under what circumstances self-medication is perceived as effective.
By distinguishing between self-medication as an expression of informed autonomy and self-medication as a possible response to difficulties in accessing healthcare, the report contributes to an informed debate on the role of this form of self-care, its limits, and its place within the concept of healthcare integration.
This report is part of the Chair in Health Economics, framed within the Social Equity Initiative, a partnership between the Fundación "la Caixa", BPI, and Nova SBE. Established in 2019, the Initiative aims to support the development of the social sector in Portugal through a long term vision, combining research with capacity building for social organisations.
🌐 View the full report in Portuguese here
Authors of the study: Pedro Pita Barros and Carolina Borges da Cunha Santos.
This report is part of the Social Equity Initiative , a partnership between Fundación "la Caixa" , BancoBPI, and Nova School of Business and Economics.