Impaired health status, and mental health, lower vitality and social functioning in women general practitioners in Sweden - A cross-sectional survey

Objective-The aim was to analyse differences between female and male general practitioners (GPs) in health status and lifestyle and compared with the general population in health-related quality of life. Design-A simple random sample of 1004 GPs from the whole of Sweden (71.2%) participated in a survey in May 1996 about self-reported health status, smoking habits, physical activity, and SF-36 quality of life survey. They were compared as regards SF-36 with the general population in Sweden in three approximately similar-sized age groups of women and men aged 30-44, 45-49, and 50-64. Results-Female GPs had a higher risk than male GPs of impaired health status. Of the female GPs aged 45-49, 22.8% reported that their health was impaired compared with 12.6% of male GPs. Less than 5% of the GPs younger than 45 were daily smokers. Female GPs had higher means for physical functioning but lower means for vitality, social functioning, and role emotional and mental health compared with the general population. Conclusions-The significant increased risk in poor health among female GPs, especially those aged 45-49, is worrying and argues for appropriate analysis and prevention that are tailored to their working conditions.