While happy to participate in antenatal and postnatal care they clearly do not wish to be involved in a home delivery service. This survey is an important addition to the home births debate in that it takes GPs views into account. A Study of self care among Irish doctors The message from this paper is that doctors do not take very good care of themselves. They self medicate for minor illnesses and self refer for serious ones. Lack of time and pressure of work is often cited.
Young doctors are equally remiss.
Clarke et al suggest the need for an occupational health service for doctors. The condition appears to be exclusive to women. Recognition of the problem and the administration of intravenous isotonic saline is essential. In addition, brief communications of exceptional interest, for example reports of single cases, will be printed in the correspondence section. Papers are accepted on the understanding that they have not been or will not be published elsewhere and are subject to editorial revision.