Do physicians take care of their health?

During the past few decades, physicians in general have adopted healthier lifestyles. Physicians now exercise more, wear seatbelts more, and smoke substantially less than the general population. Physicians are also very likely to know their blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and they undergo cancer screening at rates equal to or better than the general population. In other areas, however, physicians fare less well. Physicians are much more likely than the general population to work when ill. They are also much less likely to have their own physician. If they do have a personal physician, they are much less likely to visit him or her. Instead, physicians frequently treat themselves. Physicians' personal health habits influence not only their own health but their practice of medicine as well. Physicians with good personal health behaviors are more likely to counsel patients about healthy behaviors and patients are more likely to follow the advice of a physician if they perceive the physician as having healthy habits. By improving their personal health behaviors, physicians can positively affect their health as well as their patients' health.