First investigation on some aspects of Italian physicians: a statistical study

Physicians are often under increasing pressure and have a stressful lifestyle due to the high level of responsibility that characterizes their profession. Lack of free time and poor or even absent personal relationships may lead them to suffer from anxiety, depression, drug abuse and addiction, alcoholism and, in a worst case scenario, to suicide. The project "Medico-Cura-Te-Stesso" aims at taking care of the physicians' well-being, even if they are retired, who often underestimate the importance of their health status. Here we report the results of a survey, conducted on a sample of 251 physicians, concerning their illnesses, the drugs they use to cure themselves, prevention, overweight and its association with physical activity and diet, their artistic recreational activities and management of their free time.