Health, performance and conduct concerns among older doctors: A retrospective cohort study of notifications received by medical regulators in Australia

Abstract

Objectives: To determine whether 'older doctors' (aged over 65) are at higher risk of notifications to the medical regulator than 'younger doctors' (aged 36-60 years) regarding their health, performance and/or conduct. Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Complaints about dental practitioners: an analysis of 6 years of complaints about dentists, dental prosthetists, oral health therapists, dental therapists and dental hygienists in Australia

“…Previous research in Australia and internationally has shown that male dentists are over‐represented in complaints; this finding is also consistent with previous research in Australia and internationally for doctors. Findings that older practitioners were also at higher risk of receiving a complaint than their younger peers are also consistent with previous research in Australia for doctors …”

Complaints about dental practitioners: an analysis of 6 years of complaints about dentists, dental prosthetists, oral health therapists, dental therapists and dental hygienists in Australia

“…Findings that older practitioners were also at higher risk of receiving a complaint than their younger peers are also consistent with previous research in Australia for doctors. 34 This study found that dental practitioners are at higher risk of complaint than any other registered health profession in Australia, with treatments, procedures and fees being the most common grounds for complaint. Key areas for focus may include: supporting early resolution of patient concerns; enhancing clinical communication skills, among male practitioners in particular; identifying and remediating performance concerns among the small group of dentists who account for a disproportional share of complaints; addressing concerns about fees through improved financial informed consent and more equitable funding for dental services; and ensuring that advertising of dental services is fair, accurate and supports patients to make informed choices.…”

Pharmacists subject to complaints: a national study of pharmacists reported to health regulators in Australia

“…This contrasts with research on doctors, which found that doctors over the age of 65 had the highest risk of complaints. 12 Previous research with pharmacists has not identified an association between age and performance 8 although concerns have been raised about younger pharmacists reporting high levels of workload stress. 13 In turn, workload stress and fatigue may contribute to dispensing errors as highlighted by two UK studies that linked errors to high dispensing volume, work overload and job characteristics.…”