The World Medical Association has revised its stance on how to best address the issue of an aging doctor workforce.
At a recent General Assembly in Portugal, the World Medical Association reignited debate on how an aging doctor workforce should be managed.
A globally aging population prompted the WMA to update its specific resolution on ageing physicians.
“The number of physicians at or near retirement age is increasing in many parts of the world, and many of these physicians still play an active and leading role in their respective fields,” the WMA stated.
Applying the principles of evidence-based competency has been touted as what should continue to be the best method of evaluating doctor readiness in the WMA resolution.
The WMA also promoted the development of tailored development initiatives to support older doctors in maintaining professional aptitude and continuing to provide high-quality care.
These recommendations align with both the RACGP and AMA’s stances on the issue with both looking to provide more supports for an aging workforce.
“These doctors play a key role in the medical workforce, something we made clear during consultations undertaken by the Medical Board over proposed health checks for late career doctors,” an AMA spokesperson told The Medical Republic.
“Policy settings need to support them in their practice, including ensuring that they look after their own health and wellbeing.”
The latest AHPRA data has shown that 8.8% of GPs are in the 70-plus age bracket meaning that they would fall into the Medical Board of Australia’s suggested plan for health checks, requiring GPs aged over 70 to receive triennial competency health screenings and then yearly screenings past the age of 80.
Basing aging doctor competency off evidence-based assessments rather than hard age limits has been praised by the RACGP.
“The average age of working GPs is increasing, with more than four in 10 GPs now aged over 55,” RACGP president Dr Michael Wright told TMR.
“The average GP is older than other medical specialists, and particularly in rural areas, where they provide essential support.
“The most important message here is that no matter what age you are all of us should have a regular GP – and that message also goes to GPs.”
The federal government’s $600 million commitment in the latest budget for supporting and incentivising GP training has also been touted as a crucial support to the aging workforce.
“If any changes were to occur, they must be straightforward, not time consuming, and focus on the health and wellbeing of doctors – and support them to practice for as long as they want to, safely,” Dr Wright told TMR.
“Having worked with GPs in their 70s and 80s, including my father, I know the invaluable care our highly experienced senior GPs can offer.
“What we need to do is continue growing the GP workforce.”
