….Nigerian research exposes gap between medical knowledge and personal health practices among hospital staff
Healthcare professionals spend their careers advising patients to seek proper medical care, avoid self-diagnosis, and follow treatment protocols. Yet when they themselves fall ill, many ignore the very guidance they give others.
A new study from a major Nigerian teaching hospital reveals a troubling pattern: despite excellent knowledge of proper health-seeking behavior, more than four in ten healthcare workers engage in practices they would discourage in their patients, most commonly treating themselves without formal consultation.
The research, published through the PENKUP Collaboration, examined how knowledge, beliefs, and workplace pressures shape health-seeking behavior among 260 doctors, nurses, and other healthcare staff at a tertiary hospital in Ekiti State. The findings raise important questions about physician culture, workplace conditions, and the health of those responsible for treating others.
Knowing Better, Doing Worse
The study found that 81.5% of healthcare workers demonstrated good knowledge of appropriate health-seeking behavior. They understood the importance of proper diagnosis, the risks of self-medication, and the value of formal medical consultation.
Yet 41.9% exhibited improper health-seeking behavior when they themselves needed care. Rather than booking appointments, undergoing examinations, and following standard protocols, many relied on informal consultations with colleagues, self-prescribed medications, or simply ignored symptoms until they became severe.
“There’s a striking disconnect between what healthcare professionals know and what they actually do,” explains Dr. Ogedengbe Ifedolapo Temitope, the study’s lead author. “This isn’t about lack of education or awareness. It’s about workplace culture, time pressures, and psychological factors that override rational decision-making.”
The Self-Medication Habit
Self-medication emerged as the most common form of improper health-seeking behavior. Healthcare workers with symptoms would diagnose themselves, often informally, and prescribe treatments without formal consultation or documentation.
“The practice takes various forms. Some professionals simply write prescriptions for themselves,” says Celestine Emeka Ekwuluo, a co-author of the study. “Others ask colleagues for quick opinions during corridor conversations, receiving informal advice without proper examination. Many keep medications in their lockers, treating symptoms as they arise without seeking formal care.”
The study found this behavior particularly prevalent among younger professionals. Those early in their careers showed significantly higher rates of self-medication and informal consultation than their older, more experienced colleagues. Male healthcare workers also exhibited higher odds of improper health-seeking behavior than female staff.
Workload and Professional Identity
The research identified several factors driving these patterns, with workload emerging as particularly significant. Healthcare workers reporting very high workloads showed substantially higher rates of improper health-seeking behavior.
“Healthcare workers face a cruel paradox,” notes Daniel Obande Haruna, a co-author. “They’re so busy caring for others that they can’t find time to care for themselves. Yet by neglecting their own health, they ultimately reduce their capacity to help patients.”
Beyond practical constraints, psychological factors appeared to play important roles. Many healthcare workers seemed to view seeking formal care as somehow inappropriate or unnecessary for professionals with medical knowledge. This reflects “perceived invulnerability,” a cognitive bias where healthcare workers assume their medical knowledge protects them or allows them to manage issues that would require formal care in non-professionals.
The Insurance and Confidentiality Factor
One factor that appeared protective was health insurance enrollment. Healthcare workers covered by insurance schemes showed significantly lower rates of improper health-seeking behavior. This suggests that reducing financial barriers encourages even healthcare professionals to seek proper treatment.
However, confidentiality remains a major barrier. Healthcare workers expressed concern about privacy when seeking care within their own institutions. In hospital settings where “everyone knows everyone,” workers worry that formal consultation for certain conditions might affect their professional reputation. This leads many to either avoid care entirely or rely on informal, “off-the-record” consultations.
Implications for Healthcare Systems
The findings matter beyond individual wellbeing. When healthcare staff engage in improper health-seeking behavior, the consequences are systemic:
- Quality of Care: Undiagnosed conditions or burnout can lead to medical errors.
- System Strain: Untreated minor issues can become serious conditions requiring extended leave, worsening staffing shortages.
- Modeling: When professionals avoid formal care, it undermines public health messaging.
Moving Toward Change
The research team offers several recommendations to bridge this gap, including protected time for medical appointments, universal health insurance for all staff, and a shift in hospital culture to reduce the stigma of being a patient.
“Healthcare workers are the foundation of health systems,” concludes Dr. Kennedy Oberhiri Obohwemu, Senior Researcher and Project Coordinator of PENKUP Research Institute. “Protecting their health isn’t just about individual wellbeing. It’s about sustaining the workforce that communities depend on. We need evidence-based approaches that address not just knowledge but the behavioral and systemic factors that shape how healthcare professionals care for themselves.”
About the Study
The research, “Knowledge and Cognitive Determinants of Health-Seeking Behaviour Among Healthcare Professionals in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital: A Behavioural Science Perspective,” appears in Critique Open Research and Review (COOR), Volume 4, Issue 1. The study was conducted by researchers from various Nigerian institutions with support from PENKUP Research Institute.
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