Comparative analysis of physician mortality in Costa Rica, 1950-2003
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51481/amc.v48i3.258Keywords:
physicians, mortality survival, cohorte, causes of deathAbstract
Justification and Objective:In our country, physicianstend to share the belief that, due to the type of professionthey exert, they live shorter life spans and experience ahigher mortality rate than the general population. There arefew studies made in our country that suggest and nonewhich features a comparative analysis with other profes-sions. Considering the cost invested in the formation of pro-fessionals in this area, premature deaths in this group mayimply a very high cost for the society as a whole.
From this study we now know mortality behavior within themedical profession and its comparison with other profes-sions and the general population.
Methods:The population of physicians was compared tothat of pharmacists, lawyers, engineers and architects dur-ing the time of the study. Data bases were created. Mortalitybehaviour was analysed using different statistical methods.
Results:The 4 populations under study were similar intheir growth patterns, average age of incorporation to theirprofessional associations (28 years) and age of death (58years). However their distribution according to gender has varied, since in recent years more women have become professionals in these careers.
The percentage of deaths that occurred before reaching theirrespective life expectancy was similar for all groups (~90%). The standardized mortality ratio (SMR) was similarfor all groups and lower than that for the general population.Mortality rates have decreased throughout time and the riskof death today is lower than that of previous generations.Survival rates in those who recently joined their professional associations (age 20 to 29) were higher in female physi-cians and in medical specialists than in general practitioners. There was no difference in survival rates by specialtyor by profession. Cardiovascular disease and cancer werethe leading causes of death for all groups.
Conclusions:Mortality rates among professionals arelower than that of the general population, this coincideswith findings of previous investigations that have shownthat mortality rates are lower in more educated populations.Within the professional groups analyzed, mortality rates aresimilar and have decreased throughout time, being the lead-ing causes of death in these groups the same as for the general population.
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