ATTITUDES TOWARD RETIREMENT - A SURVEY OF THE AMERICAN-SURGICAL-ASSOCIATION

Objective This study examined attitudes and practices with respect to retirement in a senior group of surgeons. The authors studied the exte nt of planning for retirement and factors that should determine withdr awal from performing operations. Summary Background Data Federal law p rohibits mandatory retirement or withdrawal of operating privileges ba sed on age. Some surgeons fail to recognize the effects of aging, whic h may place their patients and themselves at risk. There currently is no established method to deal with these issues until adverse outcomes occur. Methods A survey was returned from 75% (659/882) of the member s of the American Surgical Association. Work load, level oi planning f or retirement, and methods to determine when one should cease performi ng operations were collected. Responses were coded and the data were a nalyzed. Additional subgroup analyses were conducted, stratified by ag e and level of operative activity. Results Less than 50% of respondent s reported any retirement plan, and among those who did, 75% planned a ctivities in medicine. The extent of planning varied by age. In the yo ungest group (40-50 years), only 6.5% had a plan versus 40% of those o lder than 70 years who were not retired already. With respect to withd rawal of privileges, the majority of those surveyed favored determinat ion by peer review or onset of physical disability rather than age. Th e level of activity declined significantly between 60 and 70 years; ho wever, 18% of those older than 70 years of age continued to perform op erations. Conclusions Both personal and institutional problems can ari se when surgeons continue to practice despite limitations of aging. Mo re positive attitudes toward retirement are needed as well as methods for evaluation of performance that reflect a surgeon's response to agi ng.