A recent article in the Medical Journal of Australia’s careers centre has reminded doctors that medical schools and boards have been promoting the concept that ‘healthy doctors have healthy patients’ (and ultimately a healthier bottom line) for many years. Statistically, doctors have the same risks for chronic diseases as anyone else in the community, and should visit a General Practitioner on a regular basis.

However, the South Australia’s Doctors’ Health Advisory service has recently estimated that only 50% of doctors have found a regular doctor. Dr Roger Sexton, medical director of the advisory service, says that there is a natural tendency for doctors to consult medical family members or colleagues in ‘corridor consultations’, where the history-taking and examination are obviously inadequate.

Dr Margaret Kay, who has done a PhD on doctors’ health, says that unless doctors are trained in treating colleagues, there can be mutual awkwardness on both sides during the consultation. She states that doctors are no different to the rest of the population though – they want a patient-centred, shared decision-making model of care.

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