Harnessing senior physicians’ expertise

Older physicians—especially those who are still interested in actively contributing to health care after retirement—have invaluable knowledge to pass on. Find out what one physician has to say about the profession finding new ways for these doctors to impart what they’ve learned. Creating new opportunities Late-career physicians need pathways that let them pursue professional mentoring, teaching and meaningful community involvement, such as volunteering or working with service agencies or communities that are important to their organizations, a Mayo Clinic Proceedings commentary urges. Older physicians are less likely to be motivated by financial considerations and more likely to be looking for other rewards. Consequently, alternatives beyond cutting back their hours could help them “rediscover meaning and purpose in medicine and potentially prolong careers,” writes commentary author William M. Spinelli, MD, a researcher at Allina Health’s Division of Applied Research in Minnesota. “In return for this engagement, organizations would reap the benefit of the accumulated institutional wisdom and increased community engagement from senior clinicians as they continue medical practice and bridge the interval before the arrival of new primary care practitioners,” he said. A different way of thinking: From early exits to new roles Long work hours, productivity demands and professional fatigue are driving a number of physicians out of practice earlier than ...
Source: AMA Wire - Category: Journals (General) Authors: Source Type: news