The Australian Medical Board is proposing mandatory health checks for doctors over 70 due to a rise in complaints against older practitioners. In our latest M3 Pulse survey, we asked over 6,000 doctors and patients to what extent they agree with this healthcare policy change if applied to their country.
Read more about the proposed health check policy for older doctors:
The plan to change the healthcare policy, suggested by the Australian Medical Board, proposes mandatory health check-ups for doctors every three years for doctors in their 70s, increasing to annual health check-ups after age 80. The Board is consulting with doctors and considering three options, with the third one being the preferred choice:
- Maintain the current system with no extra health checks for older practitioners.
- Implement comprehensive “fitness to practise” assessments for doctors over 70.
- Introduce mandatory health checks with a GP for doctors over 70, enabling early detection and management of health concerns.
This proposal comes at a time when many countries face similar challenges of an aging physician workforce and healthcare shortages. Statistics from the OECD show in 2021, around one-third of doctors in member countries were aged 55 or older, up from 20% in 2000.
For example, Italy reported over 55% of its doctors were aged 55 and older, with France at 45%, the United States at 40%, and Switzerland at 37%.
Source: OECD Health Statistics 2023
In Australia, complaints against doctors over 70 were 1.7 times higher than for those under 70 in 2022–2023. Complaints rose by 81%, with 485 complaints made in 2023, up from 189 in 2015. Older doctors, who comprise 5.3% of the workforce, saw their complaint rates double during this period.*
While some older doctors argue that competency, not age, should determine the need for health checks, the Australian Medical Board emphasises the measures are intended to ensure patient safety.
Do Physicians and Patients Agree with Mandatory Health Checks for Doctors Over 70? M3 Pulse Results
To understand the opinions of the medical community on this new health check policy for older doctors, we gathered feedback from 6,055 physicians and patients in our latest M3 Pulse surveys. Below are the full M3 Pulse results from September 2024.
The majority of physicians and patients agree mandatory health checks for doctors over 70 are important, with patients showing stronger support and fewer expressing disagreement.
Less than half, 46%, of physicians fully agree doctors over 70 should undergo mandatory health checks to practise, while 61% of patients fully support the new policy.
Only 5% of patients and 13% of physicians disagree that this health check policy for older doctors should be implemented in their country.
Click on your language to see the M3 Pulse results in your language.
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M3 Pulse is a one-question online survey we conduct every month with our M3 panel members. It´s a fun and easy way to share your opinions about trending healthcare topics, like the shortage of physicians, with healthcare professionals worldwide. If you want to participate in this month´s M3 Pulse, register and join the M3 panel today.
Arguments For Mandatory Health Checks for Older Doctors
In the survey, 2% (about 100 doctors) took the time to explain why they agreed or disagreed with the newly proposed health check policy for older doctors.
Here are the top three arguments they mentioned for implementing mandatory health checks for older doctors:
- Patient Safety: Many comments highlight the need for mandatory health checks to ensure patient safety. The concern is that older doctors may experience a decline in physical or cognitive abilities, which could affect their ability to provide safe and effective care. This argument was frequently mentioned in terms of doctors’ fine motor skills (e.g., surgeons) and mental sharpness.
- Safeguarding Doctors’ Health: Several responses suggest mandatory health check-ups would protect the doctors themselves, ensuring they are fit to continue practicing without endangering their health. The idea of ensuring doctors isn’t pushing beyond their limits as they age was commonly cited, with some emphasising doctors should look after their own health as much as they do their patients’.
- Consistency with Other Professions: A frequent comparison was made between doctors and other high-stakes professions such as pilots or long-distance drivers, where regular health checks are mandatory. This argument pushes for health check-ups for older doctors to be implemented across all professions where the physical and mental well-being of the worker is crucial to their job performance, not just doctors.
Arguments Against Mandatory Health Checks for Older Doctors
Here are the top three arguments they mentioned against implementing mandatory health checks for older doctors:
- Competency Should Be the Focus, Not Age: The most commonly mentioned argument against health check-ups for older doctors was that they should focus on competency, not age. Many doctors feel singling out older practitioners based on their age is not an accurate way to determine their ability to work, as some younger doctors may be less competent. Competency assessments should be applied to all, regardless of age.
- Doctors Should Retire After 70: A large number of comments suggest doctors should not work beyond the age of 70. Many believe instead of implementing mandatory health check-ups, better retirement plans should be in place at this age, as cognitive and physical declines are inevitable, and younger doctors should take over. Some feel retirement is the solution rather than mandatory health checks.
- Discriminatory and Ageist Policy: Several respondents expressed concern that this policy unfairly targets older doctors and is discriminatory. They argue it perpetuates ageism by assuming older doctors are less competent solely based on their age. Many feel this would place undue burden on senior practitioners who may still be highly capable.
The Nature of Changing Healthcare Policies
The nature of changing healthcare policies is complex, involving numerous stakeholders such as government bodies, medical professionals, and the public. These changes are shaped by evolving medical knowledge, societal needs, technological advancements, and political influences.
Healthcare policies often require balancing trade-offs between cost, access, quality, and equity. Governments regularly revise health policies to address emerging health trends, aging populations, workforce shortages, and new diseases.
Before implementation, there are always arguments for and against changes, as healthcare policies directly affect both patients’ well-being and the working conditions of healthcare providers.
This dynamic enables thorough discourse, which is crucial for understanding potential benefits, risks, and unintended consequences. Informed decision-making arises from considering diverse viewpoints, ensuring new healthcare policies serve the best interests of both patients and practitioners.
What do you think about implementing a new healthcare policy in your country that would require doctors over 70 to undergo mandatory health checks for older practitioners to ensure patient safety, as proposed by the Australian Medical Board? Please leave your comments below.
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