A survey of physicians' perceptions of their health care needs

• Published in: Occupational medicine (Oxford) Vol. 65; no. 1; pp. 49 - 53
• Main Authors: Steffen, M W, Hagen, P T, Benkhadra, K, Molella, R G, Newcomb, R D, Murad, M H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Oxford University Press 01.01.2015
• Subjects: Adult; Attitude of Health Personnel; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Health Services Accessibility - standards; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Original Paper; Perception; Physicians - psychology; Practice Patterns, Physicians' - standards; Practice Patterns, Physicians' - statistics & numerical data; Referral and Consultation - standards; Referral and Consultation - utilization; Surveys and Questionnaires; physician’s health; survey; Cross-sectional study; health care
• ISSN: 0962-7480; 1471-8405
• DOI: 10.1093/occmed/kqu145

Physicians may face unique challenges in accessing health care and managing their own health. To evaluate physicians' perceptions of their health care needs and desired services. A written survey, distributed and collected anonymously among attendees at a large primary care continuing medical education conference. The survey was given to 346 physicians and 141 (41%) responded. The majority of physicians (53%) reported having difficulty accessing health care and reverting to self-diagnosis and treatment (63%). Over 83% reported having or knowing a colleague who had a career-threatening illness and 42% had experienced concern about a colleague's ability to practise safely. Physicians as an occupational group have challenges in accessing health care, very commonly suffer career-limiting illnesses and revert to self-diagnosis and treatment. Programmes tailored to providing health care to physicians are needed.