AGE IS JUST A NUMBER - HEALTH DIAGNOSES AS AN IMPORTANT PREDICTIVE FACTOR OF COGNITIVE FUNCTIONING IN PHYSICIANS

Sep 29, 2026

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The physician workforce is aging, and late-career practitioners face normal changes in physical and cognitive functioning. This study examines whether multiple health diagnoses predict overall cognitive functioning in physicians undergoing comprehensive fitness-for-duty assessment. A sample of 189 physicians aged 23–84 completed a full neuropsychological battery, including WAIS-IV. Results show associations among age, physical health, and WAIS-4 Full Scale IQ. Findings support broader cognitive screening across the career span and reduce age-related workplace bias.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Study background

Methods and participants

Measures and assessment

Results and implications

SESSION 9050 (PAPER) LATE BREAKING: APPLYING PRINCIPLES TOREFRAME AGING IN YOUR WORK I Abstract citation ID: igaf122.4295 AGE IS JUST A NUMBER: HEALTH DIAGNOSES AS AN IMPORTANT PREDICTIVE FACTOR OF COGNITIVE FUNCTIONING IN PHYSICIANS Miranda McDaniel1, Johanna Carrasco1, Taylor Evans1, Michael Williams2, and Betsy Williams1, 1. Professional Renewal Center, Lawrence, Kansas, United States, 2. Professional Renewal Center/Wales Behavioral Assessment, Lawrence, Kansas, United States The physician workforce is aging. The Federation of State Medical Boards 2024 census indicated that 31% of licensed physicians are 60 years and older1 . Late career physicians are an invaluable community asset that comprise an increasing proportion of the physician workforce3 . While it is true that aging is associated with changes in physical and cognitive functioning that can affect skills germane to clinical work, late career physicians have knowledge, skills, resilience, and wisdom equitable with, and in many cases greater than, younger colleagues4 . To address any concerns that may arise as part of the normal aging process, some health systems are requiring late career physicians to complete a screening process once they reach a target age; for example, the Society of Surgical Chairs recommended mandatory cognitive and psychomotor testing beginning at age 653. Additional factors are associated with cognitive functioning such as medical health2. This study explores the contribution of several health diagnoses as predictive of overall cognitive functioning. This study utilizes a sample of physicians aged 23-84 years (N = 189, mean 56) referred for a comprehensive fitness for duty assessment. As part of the evaluation process, participants undergo a full neuropsychological battery including the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) 4th edition. Analyses indicate an association among age, physical health, and WAIS-4 Full Scale IQ. This research has implications for the implementation of additional screening measures for health and cognitive impairment across the health professional career span and reducing age related bias in the workplace.

FAQs

What is the study’s main focus regarding cognitive functioning in physicians?

The study investigates how several health diagnoses contribute to predicting overall cognitive functioning in physicians.

How was cognitive functioning measured in this research?

Participants completed a full neuropsychological battery, including the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) 4th edition.

What relationships did the analyses identify?

Analyses indicate an association among age, physical health, and WAIS-4 Full Scale IQ.

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by dhado