Quality of life of physicians in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil

INTRODUCTION: Studies conducted with physicians from different locations and age groups show a tendency to mental illness and low quality of life in this population. OBJECTIVES: To describe the socioeconomic and quality-of-life profile of medical doctors in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. METHODS: Cross-sectional study. A socioeconomic and quality-of-life questionnaire (World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument-Abbreviated version) was applied in a representative sample of physicians working in the state of Minas Gerais. Non-parametric analyses were used to assess outcomes. RESULTS: The sample was composed of 1,281 physicians, with a mean age of 43.7 years (SD, 11.46) and time since graduation of 18.9 years (SD, 12.1); 12.46% were medical residents, of which 32.7% were in the first year of training. Of the total number of physicians, 66.4% reported feeling overwhelmed and 70.7% were satisfed with their profession. The rate of diagnoses related to depression and anxiety was higher than in the general population. Mean World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument-Abbreviated version score was 60.44±21.72. The analysis of the reported quality-of-life scores showed that younger physicians, especially women, in the first year of residence, with lower income or salary ranges, high workload, and no regular time of obtained lower scores, as well as those who reported diagnoses of depression and/or anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: Some socioeconomic factors may influence the quality of life of the study population. Further studies are needed to develop effective social support and health protection actions for these workers.