title: [Helpless helpers? Health and disease of physicians in historical perspective].
abstract: Seen from a historical perspective the health and illness of a physician is not at all his private matter; they have an impact on his relationship with his patients and the public. Drawing on sources from Graeco-Roman times up to now information referring to this subject is scarce and heterogeneous. However, it is possible to differentiate between three main concepts encompassing various periods: In those reaching approximately until 1700 the physician's personal health and recovery were his credentials of his art of healing. In the following 250 years he increasingly stylized himself as a victim in the service of his patients and science. After 1970 helpless helpers are threatened by mental illness.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Geschichte und Ethik der Medizin, 50931 Köln.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schäfer
mesh_terms: D006666:History of Medicine; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000266:history*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D010820:Physicians / Q000266:history*