Barriers to the doctor as patient role. A cultural construct.

BACKGROUND

The fact that few doctors have their own GP may help explain doctors' poor health outcomes. Barriers to the doctor as patient role may arise from problematic perceptions of the 'doctor' subject position and from its subjugation of 'other-than-doctor' positions. Medical culture appears to foster and construct inappropriate health seeking behaviour of doctors.

OBJECTIVE

A behaviour model is proposed--delusion, denial and delay; self-investigation, self-diagnosis, self-treatment and self-referral. Application of a behaviour change model could facilitate the doctor as patient role.

DISCUSSION

Literary theory and sociology critiques may help peel off the social construction of 'doctor'. The realisation of such myths may allow access to medical care enjoyed by the general community.