An analysis of patient proactivity in selected areas of South Africa

Abstract

In this information driven society it is a given that the medical field are more explored to be able to live a sustainable healthy life well into the golden years. Everyone is responsible for his or her own health, and as Abraham Lincoln said: "You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today". To be proactive in attitude and behaviour can be beneficial to avoid or supress serious illnesses or diseases. This study measures the proactive attitudes and behaviours of South Africans and then to compare it prior studies that was done in United States of America. Three major areas of change are explored namely: healthcare and delivery; construction of medical aid packages; information availability. An extensive literature study about pro-activeness and the major role players that influence and aid patients, to gather the necessary information to adopt a positive attitude towards health issues. The results of the empirical data expressed that tendencies are similar regarding proactive attitudes and behaviour in selected areas of South Africa comparing to results in America.