[Doctors taking care of their own health. Results of a postal survey].
BACKGROUND
The goal of this study was to examine the attitudes of physicians towards the care of their health.


METHODS
A structured questionnaire was addressed to a sample of 795 doctors registered in Barcelona, Spain, who were randomly selected according to sex, age and residence.


RESULTS
The response rate was 34%. Nearly half of doctors (49%) admitted not to have a family doctor, and in 33% of cases the family doctor was one of the Public Health. 48% of doctors were found not to have a registered medical chart. On the other hand, 52% of surveyed doctors had asked for health advice to several colleagues, yet only 48% followed their recommendations and 82% admitted to prescribe for themselves. Concerning preventive measures, 47% of doctors did not attend medical visits offered by the occupational health department of their workplaces and 19.5% of those who attended these visits did no follow the medical recommendations.


CONCLUSIONS
A high proportion of doctors show inadequate attitudes with regard to their health care. Therefore, a reflection should be done within the medical profession in order to change these behaviours.
Bruguera
M
M
Collegi Oficial de Metges de Barcelona, Spain.
Gurí
J
J
Arteman
A
A
Grau Valldosera
J
J
Carbonell
J
J
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010820:Physicians; D012648:Self Care; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires