Beliefs on coping with illness: a consumer's perspective

This article discusses the results of a study on beliefs on coping with illness and coping with the health care system. Using the concept mapping method, members of patient organizations (n = 172) sorted their beliefs on coping with illness and coping with the health care system into two dimensions (priority and content). Statistical analysis reveals eight beliefs on coping with illness, with "autonomy" and "acceptance of illness" as the most important. It also reveals eight beliefs on coping with the health care system, of which the most important is a professional relationship with the physician based on mutual trust and respect between two equal partners. It is argued that these beliefs represent idealized images of coping with illness and coping with the health care system. In relation to the political debate on responsible use of the health care system in Western countries, these findings show many patients are willing to act as responsible consumers of health care, that is, if providers of health care create an environment in which patients receive guidance in determining alternatives.