Sickness in the medical profession.

A questionnaire was sent to 200 doctors randomly selected from the Medical Register and replies were received from 63%. Of these, approximately 53% had had at least 1 day off sick in the previous 2 years but very few had taken more than 6 days off in that time. Of those who had not required hospital treatment, most had treated themselves and c. 82% of the respondents stated that they had prescribed treatment for themselves at some time or other. None of the doctors who had taken sick leave had ever consulted their occupational health service but just over 87% reported that they had worked when they felt too unwell to carry out their duties to the best of their ability.