In our previous post we wrote about potential dangers associated with a young surgeon performing surgical procedures. In this post we explore the opposite end of the spectrum, doctors who due to ailments that accompany growing older should not continue to practice due to the risk of making a medical mistake.
The discussion is a relevant one. According to the American Medical Association, of the 1 million doctors throughout the country, approximately 21 percent are over the age of 65. 42 percent are at least 56-years-old. Because of the societal change regarding individuals not automatically retiring upon turning 65, the percentage will likely rise even higher in coming years.
Interestingly, an occupation that in many cases revolves around testing individuals for certain health conditions is not big on evaluating the health of its own ranks. Though to maintain a license to practice medicine, doctors in many states must acquire a certain amount of continuing education credits each year, currently there is not a standardized set of standards that doctors must continue to meet.
As doctors age, as is the case with all humans, certain medical conditions often arise. Included in the list that could have a bearing on the performance of a physician are:
- Dementia or cognitive impairment
- Poor hearing
- Decline in ability to see
- Deterioration in motor coordination
Recognizing that the average age of doctors throughout the nation is rising, some hospitals are implementing their own programs to test the physical and cognitive ability of doctors once they reach a certain age. This movement is particularly important in this occupation since it is notorious for other doctors covering for one another rather than reporting issues. While in some ways admirable, the problem is that this approach can lead to the occurrence of serious, even fatal mistakes.
What are your thoughts on this? Do you think doctors of a certain age should undergo evaluations? Would doing so reduce the number of medical errors that occur each day?
Source: Kaiser Health News, "Too Old to Practice Medicine?" Sandra G. Boodman, Dec. 11, 2012