A failure of communication is likely behind a hike in complaints against older doctors, says Australian Society of Ophthalmologists (ASO) president Dr Peter Sumich.
He was responding to recent news from the Medical Board of Australia (MBA) that it is considering introducing health checks for doctors over 70, including ophthalmologists, after the release of data showing the number of patient complaints jumps significantly as medical professionals get older.
The data shows they are 81% more likely to be the subject of a notification for any reason (not just impairment) than those under 70.
But Dr Sumich believes there are already plenty of good practices in place to ensure that ophthalmologists are still able to do their duties well into their later years.
“I think we already have the framework with our CPD to do that, to assure the public that they’re safe,” he said.
“What we have with RANZCO is a practice visit component of our CPD where a colleague comes and visits for a day and spends time with the professional, and both write a report for the CPD.
“I would suggest that should become more of a feature for people over 70, which takes care of their abilities and their cognitive abilities, and also how up to date they are. That’s far more valuable than a health check.”
According to the MBA, the rate of notifications about late-career doctors has almost doubled during the eight years to 2023, rising from 36.2 notifications per 1,000 practitioners aged 70 and older in 2015, to 69.5 complaints per 1,000 last year.
Notifications for doctors in the 70-74 year age bracket have risen more than 130% from 32 notifications for 1,000 doctors in 2015, to more than 74 per 1,000 in 2023. For medical practitioners aged 80 and over, notifications climbed by more than 180% per 1,000 doctors between 2015 and 2023.
Those complaints covered a number of areas, including issues relating to clinical care (52% higher over the eight years), communication (141% higher), and pharmacological or medication (162% higher).
Health checks for older doctors is one of three options being considered. These are set out in the consultation regulation impact statement:
- Keep the status quo and do nothing extra to ensure late career doctors are healthy and able to provide safe care.
- Introduce an extensive and detailed ‘fitness to practise’ assessment for all doctors aged 70 and older, to be conducted by specialist occupational physicians.
- Introduce general health checks with a GP for late career doctors aged 70 and older, to support early detection of concerns with the opportunity for management before the public is at risk.
Dr Sumich questioned the value of a health or fitness check targeting those aged over 70, when medical professionals of all ages were struggling with physical and mental health issues.
“As a professional, it’s adherent to you to present yourself as healthy enough to do your job. So health-wise, I don’t think there needs to be any difference between a 70-year-old and a 50-year-old.”
He believed the rise in complaints came from societal and cultural changes, and the way some older doctors communicated, especially with younger patients.
The ASO would likely look to address that communication issue with older professionals in the future, “because we have workforce issues, and we can’t afford to lose people”.
Proposals for keeping late career doctors in safe practice are now open for public comment.
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