Das Gesundheitsverhalten von HausärztInnen und RechtsanwältInnen im Vergleich

Objective: to compare health habits of general practitioners (GPs) and lawyers concerning nutrition, obesity, physical activity, smoking, stress and participation in screening programs. Methods: mail survey among physicians and lawyers in Cologne, Germany; response rate was 37% respectively 31% (n= 121 lawyers/ 97 physicians). Results: GPs and lawyers are very similar in sociodemographics and working hours, thus lawyers are an excellent comparison group. GPs consume healthier food, but 70% still score too low on the nutrition scale used. Less physicians than lawyers are obese. Physicians indicate to exercise more in the subgroups „gymnastics“ and „other activities“. In both professions there are about 20% smokers, physicians smoke less cigarettes per day. Physicians seem to be as stressed as lawyers, but they indicate more stressors. More than half in both groups participate in screening programs, but GPs rarely consult other physicians. Conclusions: Taking bias into account doctors´ personal health habits are not really better than those of lawyers, and they are far from a desirable level. Reflection on personal health habits and convictions on the importance of health behavior is mandatory in order to counsel patients effectively and authentically on their risk factors. Prevention and health campaigns should not solely base on cognitive strategies. Primary prevention, salutogenesis, socio-psychological concepts of health habits and beliefs and counselling strategies must play a higher role in medical training, and prevention must be refunded properly.