Guide to safe practices in patient self-care as a first-level care strategy.

Abstract

Patient self-care is essential to prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases, improving the quality of care and reducing costs. Integrating self-care into primary care involves developing clear guidelines, offering educational resources, using telemedicine, and collaborating with community organizations. This article proposes a guide to safe self-care practices, based on a qualitative literature review. Safe practices include preventing injuries, minimizing risks of adverse reactions, and following medication instructions. Recommended self-care strategies include a balanced diet, regular physical activity, stress management, setting limits, and practicing mindfulness. The guide is adaptable to different contexts in primary care.