I highly respect the old doctors I work with, but I also hope they can decide correctly when it is time to retire. Most do, because it is an extremely stressful profession.
But, for some, it is their life. All of it. Sad, in a way, but...hey, it is their life, and if that is what works for them, I have no opinion on that.
On the funny side, I had a liver specialist who I saw for many years, and he was approaching eighty when he retired. He was a grand looking old guy, too...huge shock of white hair, great big, bushy white eyebrows, seamed face. If you put him in a lineup and asked a bunch of people to pick out a country doctor, he is the one they would pick. In manner, he reminded me very much of Star Trek’s Dr. McCoy...:) Very, very down to earth, and very conscientious and meticulous. When I would go in, normally he would barely acknowledge me initially, much more than an curt “Good morning...have a seat.”
As I sat and watched, he would pore over my chart which was open in front of him (in the days they had charts). He was completely absorbed, making notes, turning pages, making more notes, turning back pages, then he would look up, take off his glasses and ask me how things were.
One day I went in, and he seemed even more curt than normal. He was almost grumbling and muttering. When he asked me how I was, I asked him how he was, because he seemed out of sorts. He said in an extremely irritated and gruff voice: “I was walking in through the hallway today, and they have my portrait hung on the wall downstairs. I guess that means I am going to DIE soon.”
At the hospital, they hang portraits of the physicians who have worked at the hospital long enough to merit it when they retire...or when they die unexpectedly! I thought it was hilarious...:)
I liked him a lot.
My father is 92, lives alone, still drives, still likes to help me at the farm. His great love in life (especially after my mom died 5 years ago) is building things, he has a huge following for that.
His doctor is probably 70-75, very capable. He is the type you speak of. Presence is reassuring, he is comfortable in his own skin. The nurses keep the records, he makes his computer entries away from the exam room. He is very efficient.
I don’t use him, only because I’ve gone to another hospital for 20 years. When we moved back in 1995, company insurance was not accepted at the local hospital, but one nearby was.
I seldom go to a doctor. Take no meds. Will be 70 before year is out.
I hold the “wise old owls” in high respect. Have seen enough to separate knowledge from wisdom.
Thanks for comments.
The old doc in this story should hire one or more ARNPs or PAs.
She could still run the office and make the calls, but when she stumbled (which all do regardless of age) the ARNP or PA could pick it up.
It's not a fantasy; it is how my practice is, and I'm not as old as she is.
Truth is, there is just too much detail for any one person to know. We argue and so on about how to work something up, how to treat something. Two heads are better than one.
BTW the EMR thing is a racket. A good paper chart is better and more concise.