Health status of physicians and some of its determinants. Metropolitan region, Chile

Abstract

This is the second chapter of a comprehensive survey of the personal and social characteristics of a sample of physicians practicing in Santiago. The subject addressed here is their health status and their main behavioral determinants. The main findings are: male physicians are overweight or obese in a very high proportion: 28,8 % show emotional symptoms, mainly of a depressive nature, and this is more frequent among women doctors (32,8 %); they smoke less than the general population and less than their co-workers, and among them, a higher proportion of women are daily smokers; very few are heavy drinkers; few have sufficient physical activity, women even less than men; many have disorderly eating habits and they tend to attribute this to overwork. In conclusion, the authors recommend educational measures and working conditions leading to a healthier way of life, particularly in terms of eating habits and physical exercise.