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Life expectancy of Thai physicians during 1998-2002
Suthee Rattanamongkolgul1, Pornchai Sithisarankul, Somkiat Wattanasirichaigoon
1Faculty of Medicine, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Medical Center, Srinakharinwirot University, Nakhorn Nayok, Thailand.
Summary
Thai physicians have a significantly longer life expectancy compared to the general Thai population. This study calculated and compared these figures, highlighting a notable difference in lifespan for medical professionals.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Demography
- Medical Statistics
Background:
- Previous reports indicated a potentially early age at death for Thai physicians, raising concerns about their health status.
- Estimates lacked comparability with the general Thai population, necessitating a formal comparative study.
Purpose of the Study:
- To calculate the life expectancy of Thai physicians.
- To compare the life expectancy of Thai physicians with the general Thai population.
Main Methods:
- Data on registered physicians' birth and death years (1998-2002) were obtained from the Thai Medical Council and Centre for Continuing Medical Education.
- Age-specific mortality rates were computed for various age groups, starting from 23-24 years up to 70+ years.
- An abridged life table method was employed to calculate life expectancy.
Main Results:
- Life expectancy at age 23 for Thai physicians was 63.5 years (living until 86.5), compared to 53.2 years (living until 76.2) for the general Thai population.
- A total of 655 deaths were recorded among 25,501 Thai physicians between 1998 and 2002.
- The disparity in life expectancy between physicians and the general population decreased in older age groups.
Conclusions:
- Thai physicians exhibit a longer life expectancy than the general Thai population.
- This extended lifespan may be attributed to higher socioeconomic status and lower prevalence of health risk behaviors among physicians.
- Findings align with international reports on increased longevity among physicians.
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