The Ageing Surgeon: Unmasking Impairment.

Abstract

Australian age-related anti-discrimination laws prevent discrimination in the workplace on grounds of age alone. However, the ageing surgeon can face physical and cognitive challenges which may threaten patient safety. In 2023 8.4% of Australian surgeons and 8.8% of general practitioners were aged 70 years or older. On 7 August 2024, the Medical Board of Australia (MBA) released a consultation paper seeking comment from the medical profession and the wider community on health checks for late career doctors (aged 70 years and older) to consider whether additional safeguards are needed. The MBA's preferred option is to introduce general health checks by a general practitioner for doctors aged 70 and older, to support early detection of concerns with the opportunity for management before the public is at risk. The proposal would require doctors from the age of 70 years to undergo general health checks with their general practitioner (GP) or another doctor every three years, and yearly from 80 years of age. Other options are to compel extensive and detailed "fitness to practise" assessment for all doctors aged 70 and older, to be conducted by specialist occupational physicians, or to maintain the status quo, which is essentially a self-reporting requirement.