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General paediatricians views on their plans to leave medical practice: Has the "twelfth hour" passed?
Insights
A significant portion of general paediatricians plan to retire soon, primarily due to age. This physician ageing poses a serious risk to the availability and quality of paediatric health services in Czechia.
Area of Science:
- Medical workforce analysis
- Public health policy
- Gerontology in medicine
Background:
- General paediatrics faces a critical challenge with a rapidly ageing physician population.
- Over half of current general paediatricians are aged 60+, with few younger practitioners entering the field.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the intentions of general paediatricians regarding their future practice.
- To identify the primary reasons behind paediatricians' decisions to cease practice.
- To assess the potential impact of physician ageing on paediatric healthcare services in Czechia.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire-based survey was conducted in mid-2018.
- Data was collected from general paediatricians concerning their plans to leave medical practice.
- Analysis focused on age demographics and stated reasons for cessation.
Main Results:
- Up to one-third of general paediatricians intend to stop practicing within the next five years.
- The primary driver for cessation is advanced age, highlighting a significant generational change.
- The current age structure indicates a looming shortage of paediatric specialists.
Conclusions:
- The ageing workforce in general paediatrics presents an "alarming situation" for healthcare availability.
- Urgent mitigation strategies are needed to address the expected negative impacts on paediatric health services.
- Proactive planning is essential to ensure the continuity and quality of care for children.
Abstract:
Up to a third of general paediatricians plan to stop practicing within five years, mainly for age reasons. This finding, based on paediatricians responses, indicates potential problems that may significantly affect the availability of paediatric health services and quality of care. The age structure of the general paediatric population is already alarming in the short term, as the number of practitioners in the younger age categories is very low, and more than half are aged 60 and over. Can this alarming situation still be resolved? The article presents the results of a questionnaire-based survey conducted in mid-2018 regarding paediatricians plans to leave medical practice, as part of research looking at the consequences of the current situation and suggests possible steps to mitigate the expected negative impacts. Keywords: general paediatrics, physician ageing, generational change, reasons for ceasing to practice, availability of health services, Czechia.