ASA’s Committee on Occupational Health has formed the Task Force on Aging Anesthesiologists to address the issues and concerns that confront aging anesthesiologists. 

Although they remain relatively young overall, American anesthesiologists are aging. In 1994, 23 percent of ASA members were 55 or older. By June 2003, that percentage had increased to 30 percent.

The biologic changes associated with aging impart some definite advantages as well as disadvantages to the aging anesthesiologist.¹ Among the advantages of healthy aging are the benefits that accrue from well-honed clinical skills, experience, wisdom and enhanced capacity for prudence and planning. Among the disadvantages are predictable decrements in mental, physical and behavioral function, including decreased cognition in certain realms, decreased ability to perform complex tasks rapidly and to multitask, and diminished stamina to endure the rigors of prolonged work rotations. 

The problems of partial or complete disability occasionally become a concern for older anesthesiologists. Objective criteria to determine disability are elusive, in large part because a clear definition of ability for an anesthesiologist has not been articulated clearly. One of the first goals of the task force is to develop a job description that defines the physical aspects of anesthesiology practice.

In addition to adapting to the physical and emotional changes that frequently accompany healthy aging, older anesthesiologists must begin preparing for retirement. The decision to retire from anesthesiology is complex, requires consideration of a number of personal as well as professional factors and obviously has profound implications for the life and lifestyle of the retiree. In many cases, anesthesiologists approach retirement in stages by first gradually shedding various aspects of practice, frequently starting with night call. Unfortunately there are no templates for guidance as to the logistics of slowing down, and each group must, so to speak, reinvent the wheel.

Although not universally experienced, these considerations can pose special challenges to aging anesthesiologists as they continue in a busy practice. These and other concerns of aging anesthesiologists have received relatively little attention in the past. It is our hope that the newly formed Task Force on Aging Anesthesiologists will serve as a resource and a forum for discussion of some of these issues. 

Founding members of the task force are: Susan L . Polk, M.D., Chair; Joseph N. Blunk, M.D.; Jonathan D. Katz, M.D.; Douglas Roberts, M.D.; Joan M. Ruffle, M.D., Bradley E. Smith, M.D., and Kenneth W. Travis, M.D.

We welcome your questions and comments as the task force’s agenda develops. We are especially interested to learn of your successes and your failures in developing a successful retirement plan from your practice. 


Reference:

1. Katz J. Issues of concern for the aging anesthesiologist. Anesth Analg. 2001; 92:1487-1492.

Jonathan D. Katz, M.D., is Clinical Professor of Anesthesiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, and practices at St. Vincent’s Medical Center, Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Susan L. Polk, M.D., is Professor of Clinical Anesthesia and Critical Care, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.