AFMC bases to offer Self-Care Basics program Published Oct. 1, 2010 By Kim Dawley AFMC/PA ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- "Is there a doctor in the house?" Because most people do not have constant, immediate access to a medical professional, Civilian Health Promotion Services -- a partnership program between Air Force Materiel Command and Federal Occupational Health -- has developed the Self-Care Basics Program, scheduled from Oct. 4 through Nov. 12. "Self-Care is defined as what individuals can do to treat minor illnesses and injuries at home," said Greg Chadwick, AFMC's Health and Wellness coordinator. "Examples include deciding whether an illness or injury needs immediate medical attention, using proper procedures to keep from spreading a cold, and taking care of your health now to help avoid chronic disease later in life." Participants in the program will receive information on preventing illness and disease through healthy behaviors, improving communication with their primary care physician, and self-treating common injuries with appropriate first aid techniques, Chadwick said. The Self-Care Basics Program is open to all active-duty military and appropriated-fund AFMC civilian employees. The program consists of two classes: Self-Care Basics and Injury Prevention. In return for attending both classes anytime during the program, participants will receive a copy of Healthier at Home, a guide to self-care and wise health consumerism. The guide includes more than 400 pages of tips, tricks, and suggestions for dealing with the most common medical ailments. For more information about the Self-Care Basics Program, contact the CHPS office at 327-8030.