longevity?

[redox redux]

What would you folks say is a 'typical' retirement age for EM physicians? I'm a non-trad (32 yo) applicant this year with a strong interest in EM, but I'm wondering how long a career I can reasonably expect to have.

Obviously I'm getting *way* ahead of myself with this question, but it does occur to me that I haven't seen very many silver-haired EM docs in my trips to get stitched up in the past. Do these folks get to do only day shifts once they're past a certain age? Is there high attrition in the specialty? Do older EM docs tend to focus on research/administration/education and maintain something more like a 9-5 schedule (7-6, more like) after a couple of decades?

 

[Tusk]

I too would be interested in thoughts on this subject. I know many FP, derm, opth physicians who are still working in their 60's. However, an EM doctor working 12 hour shifts including nights and being 65 (for example) seems like it would be rough.

(I know a lot of doctors would hope to be retired by then, but there are plenty who love their job and wouldn't be ready to give it up.)

 

[BKN]

What would you folks say is a 'typical' retirement age for EM physicians? I'm a non-trad (32 yo) applicant this year with a strong interest in EM, but I'm wondering how long a career I can reasonably expect to have.

Obviously I'm getting *way* ahead of myself with this question, but it does occur to me that I haven't seen very many silver-haired EM docs in my trips to get stitched up in the past. Do these folks get to do only day shifts once they're past a certain age? Is there high attrition in the specialty? Do older EM docs tend to focus on research/administration/education and maintain something more like a 9-5 schedule (7-6, more like) after a couple of decades?

We don't know what a typical retirement age is. The earliest trainees are in their fifties. The untrained (practice route) types are a little older on average and they seem to be retiring from their 50's on up to their 70s. Most of us find a an administrative job or a teaching job and cut back on the shifts but stay in the game.

 

[Telemachus]

Let's also not forget that part of determining when one retires, on the early side, is based on one's personal finances. Being savvy regarding your personal finances (which many physicians are not) opens the door to an earlier retirement than is necessary based on burn-out, fatigue, or declining skills -- just like any other job. As for the late side, it's like BKN said.