Research has shown that medical self-care holds promise in not only improving health, but also in potentially reducing the cost of medical care. A study was conducted to evaluate the perceived impact of the distribution of a self-care book on members of a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, area. Data were obtained from 15 physicians, 16 nurses, and 118 members of the HMO. Physicians and nurses received copies of the self-care book and were interviewed. HMO members received copies of the book and, 3 months later, completed survey questionnaires. The results revealed that most of the HMO members, physicians, and nurses in the study perceived the book as a useful adjunct to medical services. Data concerning its usefulness in decreasing rates of utilization of medical services, however, were inconclusive. There appeared to be some data supporting the contention that health promotion, in the form of the distribution and utilization of the self-care book, can perhaps reduce the use of services and increase the use of less costly preventive care as opposed to inpatient and outpatient services. More research is needed to precisely determine the economic benefits of using the self-care book. (Author/NB)