Death Rate is Higher for Older Surgeons

Beth Janicek

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A recent study raises questions as to when doctors should retire from practice. Previous studies found that older doctors are less likely to know about new treatments and medications than younger doctors, and they tend to perform worse on recertification exams. This recent study found that for three complicated surgeries, including heart bypass, doctors older than 60 had higher patient death rates, especially if they didn't do very many of the surgeries. Some critics suggest that the surgeons should cut back on their caseload. However practice keeps the skill level up. The study co-author Dr. John Birkmeyer of the University of Michigan suggest giving up the more complicated procedures.

"Those who continue to practice in high-risk areas should maintain their caseloads, but it may be a good idea when surgeons get into the pre-retirement mode that they give up the most complicated and high-risk surgeries altogether," said Birkmeyer, who is 43. Some aging surgeons do not realize their skills have diminished so it is up to the hospitals to recognize and confront the problem.