The Medical Board of Australia is exploring the possibility of introducing mandatory health checks for healthcare professionals (HCPs) over the age of 70, following an increase in complaints involving older doctors.
The proposal outlines regular assessments with a general practitioner (GP) every three years, shifting to annual check-ups once doctors reach 80. As part of the review, the board is considering three potential options, with the last one being the favourite:
- Keep the status quo and do nothing extra to ensure late career doctors are healthy and able to provide safe care
- Introduce an extensive and detailed ‘fitness to practise’ assessment for all doctors aged 70 and older, to be conducted by specialist occupational physicians, or
- Introduce general health checks with a GP for late career doctors aged 70 and older, to support early detection of concerns with the opportunity for management before the public is at risk
While some doctors have expressed concerns that health checks based on age alone are unfair, the Medical Board stresses that this policy is being considered to safeguard both patient safety and doctors’ well-being.
Two Sides to the Story
According to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra), notifications related to health impairments are more than three times higher for doctors over 70 compared to their younger colleagues, with rates nearly doubling over the past eight years, increasing from 36.2 to 69.5 complaints per 1,000 physicians.
However, some doctors oppose the idea of mandatory health checks based on age alone. They believe that competency should be the main consideration instead. After all, some health conditions, like Parkinson’s disease, can affect HCPs in their 50s and 60s. They argue that, if implemented, the policy we should prioritise competency over a fixed age limit.
Insights from Our Physician Panel
We surveyed 200 Australian healthcare professionals (HCPs) to gather their views on the issue. Here are the key findings:
- 33% fully support the proposal as it addresses patient safety and keep doctor’s health in check
- 26.4% partially agree with the proposal but think the check frequency or age limits might need adjustment
- Older respondents show higher levels of disagreement with the policy
- 68.7% think doctors should start to undergo regular, mandatory health check-ups at the age of 70-75
- 65% think it’s important to assess the cognitive skills of doctors as they age
- 88% think doctors should be required to demonstrate that they are keeping up with the latest medical practises
- 38% say mandatory health checks would improve the quality of care, while 30.8% it would reduce the number of practicing doctors, creating doctor shortages
Interested in learning more? Download the infographic to access the complete results now.
A Global Perspective
Every country in the world is experiencing growth in the number and proportion of old people. According to the United Nations (UN), the population above the age of 65 years is growing faster than the population below that age, with implications for all sectors of society, including the healthcare workforce.
In response to this global trend, many countries across the globe are considering implementing similar policies at institutional or local levels, such as hospital, medical boards, and medical colleges. In a global survey of 6,055 physicians and patients conducted by M3 Global Research, both groups supported the idea of mandatory health checks for doctors over 70, with patients showing stronger support than doctors.
Conclusion
In conclusion, as healthcare professionals age, balancing patient safety with the well-being of doctors becomes increasingly important. The proposal for mandatory health checks for doctors over 70 in Australia is part of a broader conversation happening globally, as populations age and healthcare systems adapt to these demographic shifts.
While there are concerns about fairness and the potential impact on workforce numbers, most HCPs and patients support the idea, especially when it comes to ensuring doctors are fit to practise and keeping up with medical advancements. As this policy continues to be discussed, it’s crucial to consider both patient safety and the ability that experienced doctors bring to the healthcare system.
