Resumen

CARTIN-BRENES, Mayra; ON-CUBILLO, Yahaira  y  VARELA-VINDAS, Francini. Análisis comparativo de la mortalidad del médico en Costa Rica, 1950-2003. Acta méd. costarric [online]. 2006, vol.48, n.3, pp.123-128. ISSN 0001-6002.

Justification and Objective: In our country, physicians tend to share the belief that, due to the type of profession they exert, they live shorter life spans and experience a higher mortality rate than the general population. There are few studies made in our country that suggest and none which features a comparative analysis with other professions. Considering the cost invested in the formation of professionals in this area, premature deaths in this group may imply a very high cost for the society as a whole. From this study we now know mortality behavior within the medical profession and its comparison with other professions and the general population. Methods: The population of physicians was compared to that of pharmacists, lawyers, engineers and architects during the time of the study. Data bases were created. Mortality behaviour was analysed using different statistical methods. Results: The 4 populations under study were similar in their growth patterns, average age of incorporation to their professional associations (28 years) and age of death (58 years). 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 their respective life expectancy was similar for all groups (~ 90%). The standardized mortality ratio (SMR) was similar for all groups and lower than that for the general population. Mortality rates have decreased throughout time and the risk of 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 physicians and in medical specialists than in general practitioners. There was no difference in survival rates by specialty or by profession. Cardiovascular disease and cancer were the leading causes of death for all groups. Conclusions: Mortality rates among professionals are lower than that of the general population, this coincides with findings of previous investigations that have shown that mortality rates are lower in more educated populations. Within the professional groups analyzed, mortality rates are similar and have decreased throughout time, being the leading causes of death in these groups the same as for the general population.

Palabras clave : physicians; mortality survival; cohorte; causes of death.