A screening assessment, which found 10% of older doctors had cognitive impairments that were a potential risk to patients, should be examined by regulators for use in Australia, a patient safety expert says.

 The Medical Board of Australia announced in 2017 its plan to subject all doctors aged 70 and over to regular health tests to ensure they remain fit to practise. 

But there have been questions about whether there are practical screening tests available that can accurately identify ‘at-risk’ practitioners without generating excessive false positives.

Now, a new study has concluded that cognitive testing can be effective in identifying those doctors whose practice should be proctored or who should retire.