Aging Physician Workforce Raises Patient Safety Concerns

Healthcare systems grapple with evaluating veteran doctors as cognitive decline becomes a growing issue.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The number of doctors over 65 has rapidly increased, reaching nearly 203,000 last year. This aging physician workforce has led healthcare systems to confront the complex challenge of ensuring patient safety while respecting the experience and dedication of veteran practitioners. Research indicates a gradual decline in cognitive abilities can begin in a doctor's mid-60s, affecting reaction times and knowledge recall. However, the degree of decline varies significantly, with some physicians maintaining peak performance well into their later years.

Why it matters

Healthcare organizations are implementing late-career practitioner programs to assess older physicians, but progress has stalled due to legal challenges alleging age and disability discrimination. This has left a significant gap in addressing a growing concern, as experts explore alternative approaches to navigate this complex landscape.

The details

Several hospitals, including UVA Health, Stanford Health Care, and Penn Medicine, began implementing late-career practitioner programs that offered comprehensive assessments for physicians 70 and older. These programs typically involved physical and cognitive testing, with follow-up evaluations for those showing initial concerns. While the majority of physicians passed these evaluations, programs like Hartford HealthCare's found that around 14.4% showed some degree of cognitive impairment. However, a 2020 lawsuit by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission against Yale New Haven Hospital, alleging age and disability discrimination, created a chilling effect, leading many organizations to pause or shut down their programs.

  • The number of doctors over 65 reached nearly 203,000 last year, according to the American Medical Association.
  • In 2020, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed a lawsuit against Yale New Haven Hospital, alleging age and disability discrimination.

The players

Dr. Mark Katlic

Director of the Aging Surgeon Program at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore.

Rocco Orlando

From Hartford HealthCare, emphasizes the need for open communication and peer reporting to address physician cognitive decline.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“If you see something, say something. We are overly protective of our own. We need to step back and say, 'No, we're about protecting our patients.'”

— Rocco Orlando (Hartford HealthCare)

What’s next

Experts are exploring alternative approaches to evaluating older physicians, such as universal screening for all practitioners, regardless of age, and the development of faster, more reliable cognitive tests.

The takeaway

Ensuring patient safety while respecting the experience and dedication of veteran physicians requires a proactive and nuanced approach. Healthcare organizations must prioritize creating a supportive environment where physicians feel comfortable seeking evaluation and discussing concerns about their abilities.