HEALTH CONCERNS OF PRACTICING PHYSICIANS DURING THEIR PROFESSIONAL WORK
Authors: Muhammad Umar Shahzad, Talha Asif, Zaroon bin Sajjad, Usama Ashraf, Hafiz Muhammad Faizan Javed, Muhammad Zaeem, Dr Sumera Ehsan
Keywords: Physician’s Health, Healthcare Professional’s Health, Health Concern.
Abstract
Background & Objective:
Physicians work long hours under stressful conditions and seem to have
sedentary, unhealthy lifestyle. Recently, an increased incidence of
sudden mortality among physicians was observed in our community.
This study was aimed to access the attitude and practice of physicians
regarding their own health care
Methods
A cross-sectional study using non-probability convenient sampling was
conducted among 150 practicing physicians in Faisalabad. After getting
ethical approval, a pre-tested validated questionnaire was used for data
collection in May 2019. Results were analyzed using SPSS 25.
Results
Only 35(23.6%) subjects met recommended criteria of exercising at least
5 days a week. Majority, 116(77.3%), failed to get optimal sleep of 7-9
hours per day. 111 (75.5%) subjects said that they get themselves
regularly investigated in recommended time. Major barrier in assessing
regular health services was limited time availability (56%) followed by
self-medication 37(25.2%), medical knowledge 16(10.9%) and
embarrassment 7(4.8%). 134(89.3%) did self-medication. Physicians
who thought they spend enough time with their family were less stressed
during duty as compared to those who thought they didn’t spend enough
family time. Physicians were unaware about job details regarding
vacations, employee and family healthcare as provided in other
organizations. 132(89.2%) were not being provided annual health
checkups by employers.
Conclusion
Study concluded that physicians are not leading healthy life. Neither
physicians themselves put effort to maintain their own health nor do their
employers adopt standard health practices for them. More research
should be done to understand the situation better and seek out reliable
solutions.
Article Type:Original research article
Received: 2021-07-15
Accepted: 2021-08-15
First Published:7/15/2024 10:48:45 PM
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