Proposed health checks for late-career doctors: Medical Board of Australia invites your input

The Medical Board of Australia is seeking input from doctors, patients and the wider health sector on a proposal to require doctors aged 70 and above to undertake regular health checks. The Medical Board states that the intention of the proposal is to assist late career doctors to manage their health and support them to make informed decisions about their health and practice.

The Medical Board of Australia (the Board) is considering 3 options:

1. Make no changes to the current system. This means no measures are in place to ensure late career doctors are healthy and able to provide safe care.

2. Introduce an extensive and detailed ‘fitness to practise’ assessment for all doctors aged 70 and older, to be conducted by specialist occupational physicians.

3. Introduce general health checks with a GP for late career doctors aged 70 and older, to support early detection of concerns with the opportunity for management before the public is at risk.

The Medical Board believes Option 3 is best for patient safety and for keeping doctors in control of their careers as they age. The proposal would require doctors from the age of 70 years of age to undergo general health checks with their GP or another doctor every 3 years, and yearly from 80 years of age.

How to submit your input on the proposal

For further information and to share your views on the proposal, follow the instructions outlined on the Medical Board website.

Submissions close Friday 4 October 2024.