Objective: It is important to take a look at physician's health and retirement issues as they age. Of equal importance are the pronounced gender and ethnic differences which have evolved over the past 25 years and differences of the current status of the older woman physician from the aging younger cohort.
Design: Review of differences in experiences of men and women who graduated four or more decades ago from medical school. Adaptation to changing health status and voluntary and mandated retirement issues (US and Canada).
Materials and Methods: Data obtained from AMA databank of Physicians Characteristics and Distribution and the Canadian Medical Association. Reviewed for total increase of physicians to population, gender and ethnic variation over time in various age groups. Professional activity of physicians age 65 and over.
Results: The rate of physician growth has been 4 times faster than that of the general population during the past 36 years. The number of older physicians is growing rapidly with considerably more women than men with each advancing decade.
Conclusion: All physicians need to be aware of common manifestations of aging organ systems and age related illness and how these can effect performance competence. Women physician roles are changing to more authority with responsibilities as more role models, mentors, and partners in family life are available to them.
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