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Physicians are less likely than the
general public to have a regular primary care provider and to have
regular check-ups, according to a new study entitled
"Physician, Heal Thyself?".
Researchers from Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven,
Connecticut studied 915 doctors (mostly men) who graduated from
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine between 1948 and 1964
- They found that more than one-third had no regular source
of medical care.
- These doctors were less likely than other physicians to receive
"preventive" care such as flu shots and routine cancer
screening.
- The authors stress that this trend is concerning, since doctors'
own health habits may influence their recommendations to patients.
The doctors most likely to have a regular care provider were:
The doctors least likely to have a regular care provider
were:
Doctors' attitudes toward the power of medicine played an important
role as well.
- Those who said they strongly believe doctors and other health
professionals influence their health were more likely to have
a regular care provider.
- Those who firmly believed they had their health in their own
hands, as well as those who left it up to "chance,"
were less likely to regularly see a doctor.
Among doctors who did not have regular doctors:
- 55 percent had been screened for colorectal cancer
- 44 percent for breast cancer
- 62 percent for prostate cancer
- 59 percent had received flu vaccines
The percentage of doctors lacking a regular medical care provider
is far higher than that found in the general population, the
report indicates. Research shows that about 15% of Americans have
no regular care provider, compared with 34% in this study.
Archives of Internal Medicine,
November 27, 2000; 160: 3209-3214
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