Bangkok: Are older doctors reaching a critical point? Some may be experiencing dementia and may no longer be able to examine patients effectively. Is it time for aging doctors to meet certain standards? Some may be beginning to experience dementia and may no longer be able to examine patients effectively. Many countries are starting to recognize this problem and are implementing measures.
According to Thai News Agency, in the case of teacher Sai, who complained that a doctor at San Camillo Hospital in Ratchaburi province did not perform an electrocardiogram (ECG) on her husband despite her reporting chest tightness, radiating pain to his arm, and excessive sweating, leading to his death, the Medical Council of Thailand has accepted the case for an ethics investigation. Meanwhile, San Camillo Hospital issued a second statement announcing the dismissal of the 70-year-old part-time doctor.
The Drama-Addict Facebook page commented on the issue, stating that Thailand should discuss the appropriate age for doctors to practice. Continuing to examine patients at 60-70 is very risky; some may develop dementia, while others may experience a decline in cognitive abilities to the point where they can no longer effectively examine patients. Even the most skilled and capable doctors will inevitably decline with age; no one can escape this.
There are actually cases in many countries where doctors have developed dementia, causing problems for patients, which is very dangerous. However, few people dare to tell doctors to stop examining patients because it would be seen as diminishing the dignity of senior physicians. But it's become unbearable. There's a case from abroad involving a 78-year-old surgeon who was exceptionally talented in his younger years. As he aged, he continued to practice, but one day, during surgery, he was unable to complete it, despite having performed similar cases thousands of times. He became confused during the procedure, unable to remember the anatomy, to the point that the anesthesiologist had to tell him to stop and invite another surgeon to finish the surgery.
This problem also exists in America because the number of senior doctors is increasing every day, with over 200,000 still practicing. However, once doctors reach the age of 60, their abilities begin to decline; response times slow, and some start to experience dementia. This has led many countries to implement measures to address this. In America, there is no defined retirement age for doctors, but hospital regulations require doctors over 70 to undergo annual physical and cognitive function assessments. Failure to pass results in the denial of their license to continue treating patients. Currently, Thailand lacks measures to address this issue, and we will have to wait and see what preventative measures will be implemented.