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Published on: January 24, 2020
Aging and cognitive performance: challenges and implications for physicians practicing in the 21st century
Steven J Durning1, Anthony R Artino, Eric Holmboe
1Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA. sdurning@usuhs.mil
The Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions
|September 28, 2010
Summary
Aging physicians face cognitive challenges impacting healthcare. Understanding these changes is crucial for lifelong learning and professional development in medicine.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Medical Education
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Growing demands on physicians and an aging physician workforce necessitate understanding age-related changes.
- Cognitive issues in aging physicians can impact healthcare quality and physician shortages.
- Existing research on aging and cognition offers insights applicable to medical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline cognitive issues and implications associated with aging physicians.
- To explore the effects of aging on medical expertise and performance.
- To inform continuous professional development and lifelong learning strategies for physicians.
Main Methods:
- Review of findings from gerontology, cognitive science, and related fields.
- Application of situated cognition theory to physician aging.
- Analysis of potential impacts on expertise, information processing, neurobiology, intelligence, and self-regulated learning.
Main Results:
- Aging can affect information processing, expertise, and self-regulated learning in physicians.
- Situated cognition theory provides a framework for understanding physician aging.
- Parallels exist between general aging cognition research and medical practice.
Conclusions:
- Understanding physician aging and cognition is vital for healthcare.
- Insights from related fields can improve physician training and lifelong learning.
- Further research is needed to address the implications for the healthcare system.
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