Publication related to RSI or an RSI staff member
Should we screen aging physicians for cognitive decline?
Authors
- Shilnikova, Natalia, Shilnikova N, Risk Sciences International, Ottawa, Canada.; McLaughlin Centre for Population Health Risk Assessment, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.
- Momoli, Franco, Momoli F, Risk Sciences International, Ottawa, Canada.; School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.
- Taher, Mohamed Kadry, Taher MK, McLaughlin Centre for Population Health Risk Assessment, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.; School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.; School of Mathematics and Statistics, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada.
- Go, Jennifer, Go J, Risk Sciences International, Ottawa, Canada.; School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.
- McDowell, Ian, McDowell I, School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.
- Cashman, Neil, Cashman N, Department of Medicine (Neurology), Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
- Terrell, Rowan, Terrell R, Risk Sciences International, Ottawa, Canada.; School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.
- Iscan Insel, Elvin, Iscan Insel E, Risk Sciences International, Ottawa, Canada.
- Beach, Jeremy, Beach J, College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
- Kain, Nicole, Kain N, College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.; Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
- Krewski, Daniel, Krewski D, Risk Sciences International, Ottawa, Canada.; McLaughlin Centre for Population Health Risk Assessment, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.; School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.; School of Mathematics and Statistics, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada.
YEAR OF PUBLICATION: 2024
SOURCE: Aging Ment Health. 2024 Jan-Feb;28(2):207-226. doi: 10.1080/13607863.2023.2252371. Epub 2023 Sep 10.
JOURNAL TITLE ABBREVIATION: Aging Ment Health
JOURNAL TITLE: Aging & mental health
ISSN: 1364-6915 (Electronic) 1360-7863 (Linking)
VOLUME: 28
ISSUE: 2
PAGES: 207-226
PLACE OF PUBLICATION: England
ABSTRACT:
OBJECTIVES: To synthesize evidence relevant for informed decisions concerning cognitive testing of older physicians. METHODS: Relevant literature was systematically searched in Medline, EMBASE, PsycInfo, and ERIC, with key findings abstracted and synthesized. RESULTS: Cognitive abilities of physicians may decline in an age range where they are still practicing. Physician competence and clinical performance may also decline with age. Cognitive scores are lower in physicians referred for assessment because of competency or performance concerns. Many physicians do not accurately self-assess and continue to practice despite declining quality of care; however, perceived cognitive decline, although not an accurate indicator of ability, may accelerate physicians' decision to retire. Physicians are reluctant to report colleagues' cognitive problems. Several issues should be considered in implementing cognitive screening. Most cognitive assessment tools lack normative data for physicians. Scientific evidence linking cognitive test results with physician performance is limited. There is no known level of cognitive decline at which a doctor is no longer fit to practice. Finally, relevant domains of cognitive ability vary across medical specialties. CONCLUSION: Physician cognitive decline may impact clinical performance. If cognitive assessment of older physicians is to be implemented, it should consider challenges of cognitive test result interpretation.
OBJECTIVES: To synthesize evidence relevant for informed decisions concerning cognitive testing of older physicians. METHODS: Relevant literature was systematically searched in Medline, EMBASE, PsycInfo, and ERIC, with key findings abstracted and synthesized. RESULTS: Cognitive abilities of physicians may decline in an age range where they are still practicing. Physician competence and clinical performance may also decline with age. Cognitive scores are lower in physicians referred for assessment because of competency or performance concerns. Many physicians do not accurately self-assess and continue to practice despite declining quality of care; however, perceived cognitive decline, although not an accurate indicator of ability, may accelerate physicians' decision to retire. Physicians are reluctant to report colleagues' cognitive problems. Several issues should be considered in implementing cognitive screening. Most cognitive assessment tools lack normative data for physicians. Scientific evidence linking cognitive test results with physician performance is limited. There is no known level of cognitive decline at which a doctor is no longer fit to practice. Finally, relevant domains of cognitive ability vary across medical specialties. CONCLUSION: Physician cognitive decline may impact clinical performance. If cognitive assessment of older physicians is to be implemented, it should consider challenges of cognitive test result interpretation.
LANGUAGE: eng
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 2024 Jan-Feb
DATE OF ELECTRONIC PUBLICATION: 20230910
DATE COMPLETED: 20240202
DATE REVISED: 20250626
MESH DATE: 2024/02/02 06:43
EDAT: 2023/09/11 06:43
STATUS: MEDLINE
PUBLICATION STATUS: ppublish
LOCATION IDENTIFIER: 10.1080/13607863.2023.2252371 [doi]
OWNER: NLM
Related RSI Experts
Vice-President Chemical and Product Safety
Dr. Franco Momoli joined Risk Sciences International (RSI) in 2019 and currently serves as Vice-President, Chemical and Product Safety. In this role, he leads a multidisciplinary team of epidemiologists, risk assessors, toxicologists, and biostatisticians in conducting human health risk assessments...
Risk Analyst, Epidemiologist
Jennifer joined RSI in August of 2017 as a Risk Analyst with specialization in epidemiology. To date, she has contributed to numerous literature reviews on various topics, including: Potential adverse health effects of asbestos in drinking water Age-related cognitive decline...
Chief Risk Scientist
Dr. Daniel Krewski is Chief Risk Scientist and co-founder of Risk Sciences International (RSI), a firm established in 2006 to bring evidence-based, multidisciplinary expertise to the challenge of understanding, managing, and communicating risk. As RSI’s inaugural CEO and long-time scientific...
Senior Health Risk Analyst
Dr. Natalia (Natasha) Shilnikova is a Senior Health Risk Analyst at Risk Sciences International (RSI), where she has contributed since 2011 to some of the organization’s most analytically demanding and policy-relevant projects. With a background in medicine and a PhD...