The Aging Surgeon: Implications for the Workforce, the Surgeon, and the Patient

Paul J Schenarts; Samuel Cemaj

doi:10.1016/j.suc.2015.09.009

The Aging Surgeon: Implications for the Workforce, the Surgeon, and the Patient

Surg Clin North Am. 2016 Feb;96(1):129-38. doi: 10.1016/j.suc.2015.09.009.

Authors

Paul J Schenarts¹, Samuel Cemaj²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Surgery, University of Nebraska, College of Medicine, 983280 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-3280, USA. Electronic address: paul.schenarts@unmc.edu.
² Department of Surgery, University of Nebraska, College of Medicine, 983280 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-3280, USA.

PMID: 26612025
DOI: 10.1016/j.suc.2015.09.009

Abstract

Surgeons suffer from the same physiologic impairments common to all people with advancing age. These impairments not only affect the surgeon but also the patients under their care. This article delineates the epidemiologic context of the graying population of surgeons and the cognitive and physiologic changes that occur as the result of aging, the consequence of which is that greater experience does not necessarily equate with better clinical outcomes. This work also addresses potential methods for the ongoing evaluation of the aging surgeon and how elder surgeons may be best used as they reach the conclusion of their career.

Keywords: Aging; Outcomes; Retirement; Surgeon.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Aged
Aging* / physiology
Aging* / psychology
Clinical Competence*
Cognition
General Surgery* / standards
Humans
Mental Disorders / physiopathology
Mental Disorders / psychology
Middle Aged
Patient Safety*
Physician Impairment* / psychology
Retirement
Stress, Physiological
Stress, Psychological
Surgeons* / psychology
Surgeons* / standards
Surgeons* / supply & distribution
United States
Workforce