The Aging Surgeon: Planning for Retirement Across All Stages of One's Surgical Career

Most surgeons view their work as their persona: “what and who I am.” What could be more rewarding, or more challenging, than a career in surgery? It is no surprise that many surgeons are reluctant to “walk away” from the satisfaction, the comradery, and the respect accumulated over many years in practice. Over half of the surgeons in practice today in the US are older than 55 [1] (one in seven beyond 70 years) [2]. Furthermore, the number of aging physicians and surgeons is increasing over time, having quadrupled over the past 40 years [3].