We’ve all heard stories of people surrendering their drivers licenses – often not by choice – because the effects of aging have compromised their ability to be safe on the road.
New York World raises the age question, but points it instead at practicing physicians. The report cites state data that show that while 25% of New York doctors are over the age of 60, they account for 40% of the disciplinary actions taken since 2008.
While much of the news these days involves physicians fleeing medical practice early due to the rising costs, stagnant payments and administrative hassles, it’s not unusual for physicians to continue to practice on a full or part-time basis past the conventional age of retirement.
As physicians age, any smart practice administrator needs to be alert for signs of mental slippage. In one case cited in the article, the doctor admits that were he younger, he would have been less likely to give in to a patient’s request for a narcotic prescription. Sadly, the doctor prescribed Oxycontin on the condition the patient seek detox treatment. The patient instead doctor-shopped his way to more prescriptions.
Rather than fight the accusation he prescribed improperly the doctor, 88, surrendered his license to practice.