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Medical masters: A pilot study of adaptive ageing in physicians
Author(s) -
Peisah Carmelle,
Gautam Mamta,
Goldstein Marion Z
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
australasian journal on ageing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.63
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1741-6612
pISSN - 1440-6381
DOI - 10.1111/j.1741-6612.2009.00369.x
Subject(s) - ageing , adaptability , active ageing , gerontology , psychology , healthy ageing , retirement age , older people , medicine , nursing , pension , political science , management , law , economics
Aim: To describe models of career and lifestyle options for ageing doctors that suggest adaptability to ageing and retirement. Method: Doctors aged 60 or older from Australia, Canada and the United States ( n = 25) deemed to be ageing well by peers were administered a semistructured interview to obtain demographic and qualitative data regarding lifestyle, attitudes to ageing and retirement. Results: Emergent themes included: (i) insights into the physical and psychological vicissitudes of ageing and the effects of such on practice; (ii) the need for adaptations in working hours and choice of work; (iii) the importance of long‐term retirement planning; (iv) the usefulness of a transitional phase to ease into retirement; and (v) the need to cultivate a variety of medical and non‐medical pursuits and relationships early in one's career. Conclusion: These insights might encourage doctors to engage in long‐term occupational, familial, social and financial planning and provide potential models of adaptive ageing in doctors for further study.