Quality of life among retired oncologists and their willingness to serve: a nationwide representative survey.

Introduction: Medical Oncology was founded in Italy in the early 1970s, and with it those head doctors who with much effort made it grow. Today a fair number of them, honorary members of CIPOMO (Italian College of Hospital Medical Oncology Chiefs), have retired. In a situation of shortage of medical specialists in oncology and in light of clinical evidence, CIPOMO wanted to understand their situation and their attitude to get back into the work and continue to serve the community.

Materials and methods: In March-April 2024, a survey was done via a web-based questionnaire consisting of 20 questions to 112 retired primary, and 82 responses (73.2%) were obtained, demonstrating the great interest and attention they perceived for this initiative. The questions were about their family situation, their activity, life outside the hospital, their financial situation and quality of life compared to before, and finally how they envisioned their future.

Results: Thirty-five percent of physicians said they would return to work at the hospital, more than 50% work as private practice or consultants on a limited time basis. Family commitments occupy them most of the time. Social life has improved as has their quality of life. Most report having a good economic situation and a few miss the hospital. About their willingness to put their skills back into work, 60.7% said they are available, especially for management-organizational activities, clinical consulting, training and mentoring young oncologists. In their future they see involvement in the world of healthcare mainly in non-clinical activities.

Conclusions: The survey results show a reality of socially and economically satisfied oncology professionals, with great desire to do and willingness to get involved again should they be given the opportunity. The health system should find ways to enhance them especially in organizational and/or teaching skills.