At 98 years and 231 days, Dr. Howard Tucker entered the Guinness Book of Records of 2021 as the oldest doctor in the world to practice medicine. Shortly following the record, the American neurologist stopped seeing patients regularly, but today, just turning 100, he continues to share his knowledge with residents of St. Vincent Charity Medical Center, in the United States, twice a week.
There are many cases of doctors who continue working following the age of 65 or 70, a decision that raises questions regarding the impact of aging on the performance of their professional activity.
In the United States, some health institutions began to carry out periodic evaluations of the cognitive performance and professional skills of their employees at an advanced age, something that generates a lot of controversy in the country. Several medical teams have filed lawsuits to prevent these tests linked to the age of health professionals, citing a discriminatory “end-of-career policy.”
In Mexico, the general director of the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS), Zoé Robledo Aburto, announced that on March 21 he will launch the call for 27,398 retired Social Security medical specialists to work at the IMSS-Benestar. From this proposal of the Mexican government the question arises: Should there be an age limit to practice medicine? What do you think? We want to know your opinion. Share it with us through this short survey:
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Cite this article: Should there be an age limit to practice medicine? – Medscape – March 30, 2023.
