Getting at the older doctors !!

Are older GP’s cognitively impaired?  In the Australian Doctor http://www.australiandoctor.com.au/articles/B8/0C05C2B8.asp? the question is raised whether or not older GP’s can practice safely.  It is stated that the public now needs to be protected from the older doctors who may be cognitively impaired.

Actually what has been reported is fact (the Victorian Medical Board) but it is disturbing to see the emphasis that is being put now on “lets see how we can start the process / discussion about older doctors so that they will have to leave by the time the new doctors arrive on the scene (2013).  It will take time to get public opinion settled in this way so that older doctors are viewed with suspicion.

No so long ago we were all encouraged to continue to practice and not retire.  Now it seems that Medicare does not want the extra doctors.  Why?  Because it will cost Mediacre more if they do not restrict supply.  It has been done before with bad outcome from the patients viewpoint but a saving in cost for Medicare.  They gambled on the fact that the resticted numbers of doctors will not push up the price.  Well this worked for the consult fee, but locums can demand much higher fees because of a lack of supply. It will not be long before the average metro practice will push up its fees in order to survive and the patients will have to pay.