One in 10 older doctors have concerning cognitive deficits
Study reveals screening test can be used to identity clinicians over 70 who are unsafe to practise
Cognitive testing can be used to identify older doctors whose practice should be proctored or who should retire, say US researchers.
Their study of clinicians over the age of 70 revealed that more than one in 10 had cognitive issues that raised concerns about their clinical abilities.
“We found that a substantial number of our older members of our medical staff had significant cognitive deficits,” confirmed co-author Dr Leo Cooney, from Yale Medical School in New Haven, Connecticut.
“These deficits are more common in older clinicians. I believe that a regular review of all older clinicians is essential.”
