To Retire or Not? Weighing the Pros and Cons of Staying in Medicine
Laurence Tabanao Gayao MD, FAAFP, BCEM
Throughout my long career, I had the privilege of working in several emergency rooms of large medical centers across Texas. After reaching 67, I decided to scale down to covering smaller specialty hospital ERs. The experience of working in major medical centers was both exciting and fulfilling, especially being surrounded by highly trained, experienced professionals. It gave me a strong sense of confidence that we were delivering the best evidence-based care possible. However, there’s no doubt that the intensity of working around the clock, day and night, takes its toll as one gets older.
At 77, after a quadruple coronary bypass and two additional surgeries, I finally decided to hang up my stethoscope. Despite stepping away from active practice, I continue to fulfill my continuing education requirements and renew my medical license. Now, after a year of recovery and staying in shape through regular workouts, I find myself asking: should I return to the passion of my life? Several groups have reached out, offering opportunities to work again, and I’m currently weighing the pros and cons of stepping back into the field.
The decision of whether an older doctor should retire is deeply personal, shaped by various factors like health, experience, and the desire to keep working.
Individualized Approach: Aging affects doctors in different ways. While age can bring challenges, it also offers benefits—such as improved diagnostic accuracy, greater confidence, and a wealth of expertise gained from years of practice.
Cognitive Changes: It’s common for people to experience a 20% reduction in cognitive abilities between the ages of 45 and 65. However, the impact varies from person to person, and many physicians remain sharp and effective well into their later years.
Physician Concerns: According to a Medscape survey, opinions on age-related limitations for doctors are mixed. While 51% of participants opposed restrictions based on age, 17% supported such limitations across all specialties, reflecting a diverse range of views.
Retirement Age: Retirement plans among physicians vary. Nearly two-thirds of doctors surveyed by Medscape said they plan to retire by their mid-to-late 60s. Interestingly, male physicians were more likely to consider working into their 70s compared to their female counterparts.
Part-Time Work: For retired physicians, part-time work remains an option, whether in clinical roles or nonclinical settings, allowing them to continue contributing without the full-time demands of a medical career.
As I reflect on life post-retirement, I’m grateful to discover the many fulfilling options available to continue contributing to society. One of my current passions is being a social media influencer, where I share positive vibes with about 15,000 people each day. While this endeavor isn’t about financial gain, it’s incredibly rewarding to know that I’m spreading love and encouragement to so many lives. It’s a reminder that even in retirement, we can find new ways to make a meaningful impact—and that’s a success of its own
