abstract
- Retirement of obstetrician-gynecologists (ob-gyns) is becoming a matter of increasing concern in light of an expected shortage of practicing physicians. Determining a retirement age is often complex. This viewpoint addresses what constitutes a usual retirement age range from general clinical practice, for an ob-gyn, compares this with practitioners in other specialties, and suggests factors of importance to ob-gyns before retiring. While the proportion of ob-gyns age 55 years or older is similar to other specialists, ob-gyns retire at younger ages than male or female physicians in other specialties. A customary age range of retirement from ob-gyn practice would be 59 years to 69 years (median 64 years). Females, who constitute a growing proportion of ob-gyns in practice, retire earlier than males. The large cohort of "baby boomer" physicians approaching retirement (approximately 15,000 ob-gyns) deserves tracking while investigation of integrated women's healthcare delivery models is conducted. Relevant considerations would include strategies to extend the longevity of those considering early retirement or desiring part-time employment. Likewise volunteer work in underserved community clinics or teaching medical students and residents offers continuing personal satisfaction for many retirees, as well as preservation of self-esteem and medical knowledge.Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.