WMA Statement on Ageing Physicians

Adopted by the 76th WMA General Assembly, Porto, Portugal, October 2025

PREAMBLE

The increasing number of physicians at or near retirement age plays a great role in contemporary medical practice. They provide competent care as well as improve patient access to medical care. This resolution supports professional autonomy, and addresses the matter of continued competency evaluation, to preserve patients’ access to care, patients’ right to freedom of choice, as well as patient safety and medical care standards.

The number of physicians at or near retirement age is increasing in many parts of the world, and many of these physicians still play an active and leading role in their respective fields.

Ageing physicians can play a valuable role contributing their experience and knowledge of the healthcare environment, of their patients, and of the interpersonal dynamics and the patient-physician relationship.

The World Medical Association believes that when there is concern about a physician’s competence, the physician’s colleagues and internal management should examine whether the concern is well-founded and if so, whether the issue can be resolved quickly and through internal processes without risk to patient safety. If such efforts do not resolve the problem, it may be necessary to report the physician to the relevant authorities in good faith and in the best interests of the physician and of their patients. It is imperative that this approach be marked by the utmost benevolence and collegiality. Appropriate personal support to the physician should be ensured.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. The World Medical Association urges avoidance of policies that mandate age-specific retirement for physicians.
2. The World Medical Association invites its Constituent Members to:

• Foster the principles of evidence-based competency evaluation of the individual physicians and strive for professional autonomy in this matter.
• Seek to ensure appropriate and balanced evaluation of the working ability of ageing physicians that wish to continue their medical practice.
• Promote tailored continuing professional development activities to support ageing physicians and the maintenance of their professional aptitude, for them to provide high quality care throughout their practice careers.
• Promote ways for ageing physicians to remain active after retirement, including through volunteer opportunities.

4. Physicians should report to the appropriate authorities conditions or circumstances which impede a physicians from providing care of the highest standards, as set forth in the WMA’s International Code of Medical Ethics.
5. The World Medical Association invites its members and health authorities to secure appropriate pathways when there is concern about a physician’s competence or circumstances which impede a physician from providing care of the highest standards, as set forth in the WMA’s International Code of Medical Ethics.
6. In these circumstances, the physician’s colleagues and internal management should examine whether the concern is well-founded and if so, whether the issue can be resolved quickly and through internal processes without risk to patient safety.
7. If such efforts do not resolve the problem, it may be necessary to report the physician to the relevant authorities in good faith and in the best interests of the physician and of the patients. It is imperative that this approach be marked by the utmost benevolence and collegiality. Appropriate personal support to the physician should be ensured.
8. The World Medical Association recommends physicians to:

• Have their health and work ability regularly evaluated by another physician.
• Maintain professional skills with appropriate continuing professional development activities, in order also to adapt to new technologies, treatments and healthcare protocols and ensure up-to-date and safe medical care.