[Norwegian physicians--affluent and reputed, but not particularly happy].

Norwegian doctors enjoy a high standard of living. A comparison of doctors' work environment and living conditions with those of the general population (Survey of Norwegian physicians' work environment and living conditions 1993 (Nord-Trøndelag Health survey 1986, Survey of work environment 1989, General Household Survey 1991) shows that doing better does not necessarily mean feeling better. In almost all sex and age groups doctors score significantly lower than the rest of the population do on all our quality-of-life indicators. The mismatch may reflect the nature of their work. Although a larger share of doctors than others consider their work interesting and not physically tiresome, they work longer hours, and more them report feeling worn out, and that they have sleeping problems. Fewer of them describe their sociopsychological work environment as good. Possibly, as much effort should be put into improving doctors' jobs as into raising their salaries.