This conference report presents research strategies and ethical considerations concerning consumer participation in the health care process. Section 1, background, lists the beginnings of self-care in health, the programs that have sprung up, and their supporting organizations, and the medical tasks performed by the consumers in those programs. Section 2, proceedings, defines consumer self-care, explains research strategy, topics and particulars, and ethical considerations. The summary of recommendations proposes four areas of research: (1) the parameters of self-care (short-term research is suggested), (2) consumer-oriented research (a national survey is recommended which would be supplemented by a review of literature on consumers coping), (3) health care provider research (the role of the provider, the assessment of him, and a review of his education, and (4) demonstrations (the settings and populations are described). (Appended are four papers dealing with the concept of caring in the self-care movement, an international perspective of self-care, the health beliefs of the U.S. population, and research and demonstration issues in self-care. The paper on research and demonstration includes 146 references.) (VB)