Illness behaviour among Norwegian physicians.
BACKGROUND
Information on physicians' illness behaviour is to a large extent based on studies of selected groups of physicians. The objective of this paper is to study self-treatment and help-seeking behaviour in a nationwide representative sample of physicians.


RESULTS
In total, 70% of 1,476 physicians answered a mailed, anonymous questionnaire as a part of the Norwegian Medical Association's health survey. Of these, 75% had performed self-treatment during the last three years. Treatment by spouse, friends, and colleagues was also frequent. Of those who used prescription medicine, 73% were self-prescribing it; 13% of the physicians had negative experiences with self-treatment. Some 56% stated that they would prefer to seek help for somatic problems from a physician to whom they had no personal ties, and 50% would seek help for mental problems elsewhere than in the mental health care facilities located where they lived.


CONCLUSIONS
Most physicians practise self-treatment when they are ill, and although they prefer to be treated by a physician they do not have personal ties to, many contact friends and colleagues when they need help from another physician.
Rosvold
Elin O
EO
Department of General Practice and Community Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway. e.o.rosvold@sanfunnsmed.uio.no
Bjertness
Espen
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D012648:Self Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012803:Sick Role; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires