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Minor ailments and illness behavior among physicians
Medical Care
|February 1, 1980
Summary
Physicians often seek medical treatment for their own minor ailments, influencing public health behavior. This study reveals how doctor’s illness behavior sets a norm for seeking professional medical help.
Area of Science:
- Medical Sociology
- Health Behavior Research
- Physician Studies
Background:
- Physicians serve as influential role models for the general population regarding health and illness.
- Understanding physician illness behavior provides insights into societal expectations for seeking medical care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the illness behavior of physicians when managing their own minor ailments.
- To determine the extent to which physicians rely on professional medical assistance for self-treatment.
Main Methods:
- A sample of 375 physicians participated in the study.
- Participants were presented with 13 distinct minor ailments, described with clear symptoms.
- Physicians' actions in response to these ailments were recorded and analyzed.
Main Results:
- A significant proportion of physicians exhibited physician-dependent action for 3 out of 13 ailments.
- Moderate frequencies of physician-dependent action were observed for 4 additional ailments.
- The study indicates a tendency for physicians to seek professional medical solutions for their own minor health issues.
Conclusions:
- Physician behavior regarding minor ailments implicitly guides public expectations for seeking medical care.
- The study reinforces the normative expectation for individuals to seek professional assistance for health concerns.
- Physicians' self-treatment choices significantly influence the broader societal approach to illness behavior.