The Taiwan Medical Association said that the average age of a doctor in Taiwan is 51.5. Obstetricians and gynecologists are the oldest with an average age of 56.7, while medical emergency doctors are the youngest on average.
Doctors are aging.
Some stay healthy and are able to provide quality medical services despite getting older.
A potential shortage of doctors in specific departments has been a major concern of the medical profession, if not enough doctors are recruited in those departments to replace those who retire.
The government and medical organizations should assist in stopping the crisis through better policymaking, such as providing incentives to ensure a well-functioning medical system.
People are healthier and living longer.
The statutory retirement age of 65 — set half a century ago — is no longer suitable for the nation’s working environment today. There are plenty of retired people who are getting on in years, but are still perfectly healthy.
Previously, civil service laws and regulations state that doctors at National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH) are required to retire at the age of 65.
Recently, NTUH introduced a system in which an elderly doctor could serve as a “distinguished adjunct attending physician” for additional three-year terms until the age of 75. With this system, older doctors could pass down their expertise and provide guidance to their younger colleagues.
Doctors in private medical institutions are not asked to retire at a specific age, but are required to take medical courses every six years to ensure their medical abilities are up to scratch.
The retirement age has been increasing worldwide.
Medical service involves a high degree of expertise and each department covers several specialities with different natures. A fixed retirement age applied uniformly would not be optimal for all medical departments.
Each department should make its own regulations.
In addition to assessing a doctor’s performance, medical societies should establish an evaluation system to ensure a doctor is still able to continue practicing medicine.
A shortage of medical service providers is not only a problem that affects the medical profession; it affects national security and stability as well.
Dino Wei is an information engineer in Yilan County.
Translated by Hsieh Yi-ching
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