What term refers to the act of taking medication by oneself?

The term that refers to the act of taking medication by oneself is self-administration. This concept emphasizes the individual's ability to manage their own medication without requiring assistance from healthcare professionals or caregivers. Understanding self-administration is crucial for medication adherence, patient education, and ensuring that individuals are capable of taking their medications correctly and safely.

Self-administration is particularly important in various settings, including home care, outpatient clinics, and in managing chronic diseases where patients need to take medications over extended periods. It enables greater independence and empowerment for patients, allowing them to take an active role in their own healthcare.

In contrast, medication compliance refers to how well a patient follows prescribed directions for taking medications, which may or may not involve self-administration. Patient medication management is a broader term that covers the overall process of managing medications effectively, which can include self-administration but also encompasses other factors like adherence monitoring and education. Autonomous dosing is not a widely recognized term in the healthcare field and may create confusion. Therefore, self-administration accurately defines the specific act of a patient taking their medication independently.