Surginetters

When should a surgeon put down their scalpel?

In the public sector retirement for any professional is mandatory at 65, but some choose an earlier 60. In 1889 Otto von Bismarck proposed an age of 70 for a state pension in Germany, and in 1916 this was lowered to 65. Most countries followed this practice of mandatory retirement, with a pension, and the Bismarck example is usually regarded as the historical source of retirement age. In the private sector there is no legislation or limit. Commercial airline pilots have to retire at 60, and a recent continued attempt to extend this to 65 has been unsuccessful. All pilots, of any age, require to have passed rigorous retesting in the previous 12 months.

Many surgeons continue to consult and operate at a great age. Surginetters reading this will know of surgeons operating into their deep seventies in their area. The admired surgeon of yesteryear will have their age equivalent referral practitioners and friends, as well as a loyal patient base. Older surgeons have the judgement of experience, and have a venerated reputation. Their well known name may be part of an association or group, very much like that in the legal profession.

The fundamental question is whether judgement and the manipulative skill of operating is impaired by age? To return to the comparison of the airline pilot: it may be that flying is easy, but the landing and taking off are difficult. To this add the unexpected disaster and challenge, and the competancy to deal with that.

What do Surginetters think, this weekend?

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Dear T., I could not agree with you more! But right or wrong, the powers that be managed to enforce it on us. They justify it by claiming that they need to make sure every practicing surgeon is on the cutting edge of knowledge!!! And if we do not pass it, we will lose our board certification and can not be members of the American College of Surgeons!!! even if you have been a member for decades!!! S.

Dear T.,

I could not agree with you more! But right or wrong, the powers that be managed to enforce it on us. They justify it by claiming that they need to make sure every practicing surgeon is on the cutting edge of knowledge!!! And if we do not pass it, we will lose our board certification and can not be members of the American College of Surgeons!!! even if you have been a member for decades!!!

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Dear S., Does anyone really believe that the doing a board exam every 10 years limits disasters. I feel it is a sham in which people buy SESAP from the American College and memorize responses to questions. Does it help problem solving? T.