Health status and health practices of montenegrin family physcians

Introduction: Physicians have lower mortality rates than general population, but similar rates of chronic diseases. Aim: The aim was to investigate health status and heath practices of family medicine doctors in Primary Health Care Center Podgorica, Montenegro and compare it to high school teachers. Method: A total of 104 (69.3%) physicians and 40 teachers (50%) responded to a questionnaire about their health status and health practices. Results: A total of 45% of practitioners and 45% of teachers self-reported at least one disease without significant difference in the incidence and type of disease (p=0.162). There was also no difference in using sick leave (p=0.633). Both groups tended to work when sick, but significantly more physicians worked when tired (p=0.026). Most of respondents were registered with a general practitioner, but only teachers tended to visit their physician when ill (p<0.001). Thirty minutes of daily physical activity was reported by 16.3% of the physicians and 15.0% of the teachers without a significant difference (p=0.915). Conclusion: Compared to the teachers Montenegrin physicians have similar health status and health practices. However, physicians more often tend to work when they are tired and to selfcare when they are ill. Physicians need to pay attention to the lifestayle habits and to follow the recommendations for themselves what they provide to their patients.