PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - J. H. Gillies
AU  - L. C. Ross
TI  - Physician retirement: a case for concern in Canadian hospitals
DP  - 1984 Aug 15
TA  - Canadian Medical Association Journal
PG  - 297--299
VI  - 131
IP  - 4
4099  - http://www.cmaj.ca/content/131/4/297.short
4100  - http://www.cmaj.ca/content/131/4/297.full
SO  - CMAJ1984 Aug 15; 131
AB  - Mandatory retirement is being challenged on the basis of age discrimination, and physicians are not divorced from this social trend. In January 1982 legal precedent was set by the Manitoba Court of Appeal concerning the retirement policy for physicians in Canada. Currently, Canadian hospital bylaws include clauses that require a change in membership status once a physician reaches 65 years of age. The main arguments in favour of this change include easier physician manpower management, ensured public safety and, in some instances, greater productivity. The main arguments against this change include loss of income to physicians, loss of skilled manpower to the profession and adverse effects on the mental and physical health of retiring physicians. In an effort to resolve this conflict some Canadian hospitals are developing strategies for reviewing the specific privileges and responsibilities physicians will retain once they reach age 65. The medical staff of the Victoria General Hospital in Halifax, NS have addressed this issue through their annual reappointment process.