[Health of family physicians: do we practice what we preach?]. / La salud de los médicos de familia: ¿practicamos lo que predicamos?

AIMS: To describe the lifestyle of primary care physicians, their adherence to cancer screening tests and to describe basic aspects of occupational, mental and sexual health. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Primary Care. Health Area 7, Madrid. PARTICIPANTS: Family Physicians. METHODS: An anonymous survey sent through the internal mail was completed by the participants. The questionnaire was based on the Cardiovascular Disease Prevention European Guidelines, Health Prevention and Promotion Activities Program (Programa de Actividades Preventivas y de Promoción de la Salud) and the World Health Organisation document on physical activity and health. The Hamilton Anxiety Scale was used to measure anxiety. RESULTS: A total of 114 primary care physicians participated in the study. The average years of medical practice was 18.29 years (SD: 8.2). Adherence to cardiovascular screening was 70%. Adherence to cervix, breast and colorectal cancer screening was of 73%, 86% and 24%, respectively. Vaccination records were up to date in 51.8% of the participants. A total of 81.6% had a stable sexual partner and 75.2% were satisfied with their sexual relationships. The condom was always used by just 21.1% of the participants. Hamiltons anxiety scale was abnormal in 74.3% of the physicians, but 90.4% reported to feel good or very good. CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to cardiovascular and female cancer screening is adequate, but insufficient in colorectal cancer. Vaccination among the participants was adequate.