A survey of physicians' perceptions of their health care needs

Background: Physicians may face unique challenges in accessing health care and managing their own health. Aims: To evaluate physicians' perceptions of their health care needs and desired services. Methods: A written survey, distributed and collected anonymously among attendees at a large primary care continuing medical education conference. Results: 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. Conclusions: 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.