[When the doctor becomes a patient: physician health in university hospitals in Alicante, Spain].

OBJETIVO: Describir indicadores de salud y sus determinantes en una muestra de medicos hospitalarios. METODOS: Estudio descriptivo transversal mediante encuesta realizado entre julio de 2010 y julio de 2011. El estudio se realizo entre los facultativos de los Hospitales de Alicante, Elche y Sant Joan d’Alacant. Se realizo un muestreo de conveniencia. Se obtuvieron 281 cuestionarios validos (18,8% del total de la poblacion de interes). Las principales variables de estudio fueron referentes a la salud autopercibida, habitos de vida, condiciones de trabajo y comportamiento frente a la enfermedad. Se calculan estimadores de frecuencia y distribucion. RESULTADOS: La salud autopercibida por los medicos es buena. Un 40% sufre alguna enfermedad cronica y un 64% se automedica. Solo un 43% ha acudido a su medico de familia desde que es medico y un 50% realiza consultas sanitarias informalmente. Menos de un 35% acude a revisiones preventivas. La mayoria califica su trabajo como poco monotono, estresante y satisfactorio, afirmando que afecta a su salud y genera estres y alteraciones del sueno. RESULTS: Overall, self-perceived health in our sample of doctors was good. Forty percent reported having a chronic illness and 64% self-medicated. Only 43% had seen their primary care physician since becoming physicians and 50% relied on informal "curbside" medical consultations. Less than 35% had undergone preventive exams. Most stated their work is never monotonous and described it as stressful and satisfactory. They also felt their work affected their health and generated stress and sleep disturbances. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, physician behavior with respect to illness was characterized by autonomy, informality and difficulty in assuming a sick role. Their preventive habits are insufficient. They consider that medical practice affects their health, generating stress and sleep disturbances.