Cognitive Screening for Senior Physicians: Are We Minding the Gap?

Abstract

Senior physicians are an invaluable community asset that comprise an increasing proportion of the physician workforce. An increase in demand for health care services, with demand exceeding the supply of physicians, has contributed to discussions of the potential benefit of delaying physician retirement to help preserve physician supply. The probable increase in the number of senior physicians has been associated with concerns about their competent practice. Central to this issue are the changes that occur as part of normal aging, how such changes might impact medical practice and what steps need to be taken to ensure the competency of senior physicians. We propose that while age may be an important risk factor for performance issues, it is not the only factor and may not even be the most important. Data on cognitive performance among physicians referred for behavioral and performance concerns reveal that cognitive impairment afflicts physicians across the career span. If the overarching goal is to prevent patient harm through early detection, older physicians may be too narrow a target. Approaches focusing on health screening and promotion across the career span will ultimately be more effective in promoting workforce sustainability and patient safety than age-based solutions.