How long can you practice EM?

[polymer]

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This question is directed more towards residents.

How long is it possible to practice EM? In other words, are the majority of EM's below 50, or are there EM's practicing effectivly in their 60's or latter?

In contrast, I see alot of FM's practicing easily into their 70's? Does the pace of EM mean an early retirement?

As residents, do you see older physicians practicing EM? Or do they wind up doing something else?

Is there discrimination against older EM physicians?

Your thoughts greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[WallowaWanderer]

I really hope I can do EM a long time because I have a lot of debt to pay off!

There are some things you can do beyond just working shifts For instance, academic medicine. Although you need more of a reason than that for going into academics obviously - you really have to have a passion for it. In academics, you'll make less money over a longer period of time so even though you have more longevity your lifetime pay will be less (if that matters to you). And then there's other stuff like being an EMS director that allow you to split clinical and admin time. I don't think I have answers to your other questions.

 

[USCDiver]

Keep in mind that the specialty of EM has only been around for about 25 years, so most of the very early EM physicians are just now getting to be around 60 years old.

There are some older, grandfathered IM, FM, Surg trained docs practicing in EM, but they're getting few and far between and they tend to be in the more rural, slower paced EDs.

 

[bartleby]

I'm not sure where you're practicing, but regardless of the specialty, I think that many physicians are unwiling to make the personal sacrifices or keep up with the physical demands of medicine into their 70's.

From my standpoint, I think that EM is more conducive to working later into your career, as it isn't an all-or-nothing situation, as you don't either have to keep up with a busy practice or retire. You can continue to work, but just decrease the total number of shifts. You can really stretch out your retirement savings if you continue to work even just to pay some of your bills.

In contrast, I see alot of FM's practicing easily into their 70's? Does the pace of EM mean an early retirement?

 

[deleted109597]

Until you stop.