Articles
Competence, Not Age: Why Experienced Physicians Still Have So Much to Offer
October 27, 2026
Key takeaways
In a September 2026 Physicians Practice column, Dr. Neil Baum argues that physicians should be evaluated on demonstrated competence, not age.
Medicine already has tools to measure competence: continuing education, peer review, and outcome tracking.
Experience often strengthens clinical judgment and communication, even when stamina or procedural skills change.
Mentoring, phased retirement, and flexible schedules can keep experienced physicians in practice longer.
For rural hospitals, part-time arrangements are a practical way to put that experience to work.
At some point in a long career, almost every physician hears a version of the same question: "So when are you retiring?" It's usually well meant. But it carries an assumption that age alone says something about whether a doctor should still be practicing.
Dr. Neil Baum, a clinical professor of urology at Tulane, takes that assumption on directly in a recent Physicians Practice column, Competence, Not Chronology: The Case Against Ageism in Medicine. His argument is simple: judge physicians on how well they practice, not on how old they are.
Medicine already has the tools to measure competence
Baum points out that the profession doesn't need to invent new systems to evaluate experienced physicians. Continuing education, peer review, and outcome tracking are already in place, and they apply at every stage of a career. That makes them a fairer measure than a birthday.
The American Medical Association has studied the issue too. Its report, Experiences of Ageism Among Senior Physicians, looked at how physicians 65 and older experience ageism in their work. The AMA has also discussed how ageism affects both older patients and the physicians who care for them.
What experience adds
Baum's view is an honest one. He acknowledges that stamina and some procedural skills can change over time, but argues that experience often sharpens clinical judgment and communication. Those are hard-won skills, and patients benefit from them.
Many experienced physicians aren't trying to hold on to a full-time pace. They want to keep practicing in a way that fits the stage of life they're in. As we've written before, most late-career specialists fit into one of three groups, and very few of them are simply "ready to stop."
Flexibility keeps experience in practice
Baum encourages health systems to offer mentoring, phased retirement, and flexible schedules. Those options give physicians a path between full speed and full stop, and they give hospitals more time with clinicians they already trust.
Some health systems are already moving in this direction. We look at a few examples in How Hospitals Are Keeping Experienced Physicians in Practice Longer.
Where rural hospitals fit
Rural communities often need specialists the most and have the hardest time recruiting them full time. In Missouri and Kansas, many counties have no surgeon at all.
That's where experienced physicians and rural hospitals can meet in the middle. A part-time rural role can range from a couple of days a month to several days a week. At Midwest Doctor Link, roles are paid at a daily rate, and the hospital provides the clinic space, staff, equipment, scheduling, billing, and EMR. The physician focuses on patients. Learn more about how it works for physicians.
FAQ
Is there a mandatory retirement age for physicians in the U.S.?
There's no national mandatory retirement age for physicians. Some hospitals have late-career practitioner policies, which is part of why the debate over age versus competence matters.
Can experienced physicians keep practicing part time?
Yes. Many do, through reduced schedules, phased retirement, per diem work, or part-time roles with rural hospitals.
How does part-time rural work with Midwest Doctor Link work?
Physicians work a set schedule at a daily rate, from a couple of days a month to several days a week. The hospital handles the clinic, staff, scheduling, billing, and EMR.
Available Providers (as of October 22, 2026)
Credentialed and ready to discuss a schedule:
Click here to see the most updated list of available providers!
Other providers are available. Give us a call at (816) 560-4720.
Ron Booth, Founder & CEO, Midwest Doctor Link
Have a staffing gap, a provider to refer, or a question about anything here? I'm glad to talk it through, no obligation.
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