Medical care of doctors

Abstract

Aim: To describe doctors' attitudes towards their own medical care.

Methods: Postal survey asking 2564 doctors about their access to, and use of, medical services. The sample, 14% of all New South Wales doctors, was randomly selected from the NSW Register of Medical Practitioners. To ensure anonymity, non-respondents were not followed up.

Results: The response rate was 44%. Only 42% of respondents had a general practitioner and most had self-prescribed medication. Nineteen per cent reported marital disturbances, 18% emotional disorders, 3% alcohol problems and 1% drug abuse, but not many had discussed these problems with their doctor. Twenty-six per cent had a condition warranting a medical consultation but felt inhibited about consulting a doctor.

Conclusion: Many doctors lack adequate medical care.

Recommendations: We recommend that doctors have their own general practitioner, avoid "corridor consultations" and not self-prescribe drugs that affect mental function. Teaching of appropriate help-seeking responses should be part of medical education.