Views on Retirement by General Practitioners

Background There is a steadily increasing shortage of doctors and simultaneously an increasing need for health care of the general population. The aim of the present survey was to investigate retirement planning by family doctors (n =143). Method Data was collected as part of a baseline survey (longitudinal design, representative sample of physicians). Possible association between socio-demographic and occupation-related variables with early or later retirement was investigated and also why some physicians may consider continuing in their profession beyond retirement age. Results The results showed that half of the respondents between 29 and 66 of age would like to retire early and that this decision depended primarily on marital status, but also on job satisfaction and workload. Reasons for late retirement were enjoying work, feeling useful and needed and generalprofessional interest. Conclusion The results indicate that retirement wishes of GPs must betaken into account in the future planning of health care and that measures should be taken to counteract their early retirement from professional activity.

Automated summary

Half of family doctors wish to retire early, with decision largely influenced by socio-demographic and occupation-related variables. Reasons for delayed retirement include enjoying work and maintaining interest in the profession.