The retirement age in Australia is 65 – 70, depending on date of birth, but health professionals are able to continue practicing if they wish. Doctors working in Australia typically retire later than other professionals. However, concerns have been raised about the potential risks to patients when doctors practice past the age of 70.
Australia has more than 6600 registered doctors aged over 70, with 85 percent of them still practicing. A recently published study looked at the health, performance and conduct concerns among older doctors. The retrospective cohort study aimed to determine whether doctors aged over 65 are at higher risk of notification to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) than doctors aged 36-60.
The study found that older doctors had 37 percent more notifications to AHPRA than younger doctors. However, the type of notification differed between the two age groups. Notifications relating to older doctors were generally around physical or cognitive impairment, medical records and reports, prescriptions and supply of medicines. Younger doctors were more likely to be subject to notifications relating to mental illness or substance abuse.
Professional Performance Framework
Towards the end of 2017, the Medical Board of Australia (MBA) announced the development of a new Professional Performance Framework, which proposed that doctors aged 70 plus would be subject to peer review and confidential health checks every three years in order to prove competency to continue practicing. GPs who work in sole practice and doctors who have been subject to multiple substantiated complaints will undergo closer scrutiny.
While some doctors argue that cognitive testing is age discrimination and that the vast majority of older doctors do not receive any complaints, health services state that testing of doctors improves patient care and allows for workplace adjustments where necessary. The Medical Board of Australia has sought legal advice that testing does not constitute age discrimination.
The MBA’s Professional Performance Framework is yet to be implemented and at this stage there are no plans for older doctors working in Australia to have to re-sit medical exams every five years or to introduce a mandatory retirement age.