18 OPINION
2024
18 OPINION
10 MAY 2024 ausdoc . com . au
Insight
Is retirement calling ?
Dr Jon Fogarty GP on the NSW Central Coast .
If your inner voice is whispering to you , I would listen .
When they put their trust in you ,
it ’ s vital to have information you can trust .
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TO those colleagues presently contemplating retirement , I have one word of advice — do it . Well , that ’ s two words really .
Do . It .
That ’ s what happens when you retire . You become pedantic . You have more time to fuss over small things .
I loved general practice . I did it
for 40 years . It was challenging , frustrating , inspiring , scary , fun and rewarding , on a repeat wash cycle .
However , I ’ m getting older . I see the birthdates of those in the obituary list getting closer and closer to my own .
I watched two friends my own age die within months of each other .
Both were great people — funny , smart , skilled , kind , fit .
Both were run down by out-ofcontrol cancers .
I didn ’ t want my last action on the planet to be writing a prescription for Amoxil .
The clarion call came as I sat in the regular Tuesday teaching sessions at our practice and listened to my younger colleagues
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present very smart and comprehensive dissertations on immunologics for cancer treatment , transgender assessment and changes to the paediatric vaccination schedule .
I decided I needed to get up to pace or get out .
I now spend more time with my grandchildren .
My granddaughter directs me to play a board game with her . She sits on the floor and assembles the cards and dice . This process takes 2.1 seconds .
“ You sit here , Poppy .” She points to a spot on the floor .
I look . It seems a long way down . I begin the process of circling and descending . I try flexing one knee .
Meanwhile , the granddaughter gives instructions . “ If you get three zebras , you go to the next level and you can swap for a lion or a tiger ,
I see the birthdates of those in the obituary list getting closer and closer to mine .
but if you get a snake , or even two snakes , you go back to the start .”
I get one knee to the ground .
“ I ’ ll take your turn , Poppy ,” the granddaughter announces while I ’ m in the process of descent .
By the time I land safely and take my place at the board , the game has been completed , she has won by a generous margin and she is now outside on the trampoline suggesting I join her .
Every now and then , I go back to the practice for teaching and maintenance of CPD points . I have not completely abandoned medicine .
The practice is welcoming and kind and provides me with an opportunity to give unasked-for advice to the younger doctors .
“ By golly , that ’ s not what we did back in 1987 ,” I say .
I see the occasional look exchanged between the younger members of the practice , which I take to mean , “ He ’ s got a point , you know . We should think about that .”
At least , I ’ m pretty sure that ’ s what they ’ re thinking .