9
‘‘Once a Doctor, Always a Doctor?’’
Retirement
‘‘Should I still put the ‘Doctor’ in front of my name or not?’’ Stuart, who
retired to teach, asked me. ‘‘Is a doctor always a doctor?’’ What if he or she
retires, or no longer sees patients? Does his or her identity then change,
and if so, how? Not surprisingly, the possibility of retirement and dis-
ability posed these dilemmas. Many of these doctors were not sure when
and how to alter or reduce their professional schedules. Inevitably, despite
efforts to cope, some contemplated and/or chose retirement, and then had
to decide if they were still in fact ‘‘physicians.’’
Whether to Retire: Diagnosis as Pink Slip?
These physician-patients confronted tough questions of whether, when,
and how to give up their careers. Retiring completely would mean losing
the multiple functions that work had served in their lives. Larger moral
questions arose, too, of to what degree physicians should sacrifice aspects
of their lives for those of their patients. How did they view and navigate
these options, and decide what to do?
Against Retirement
As mentioned above, the potential or actual loss of one’s career can be
deeply traumatic. Scott, the internist with the infected foot, broke into
tears as he contemplated having to abandon his work. He could barely
verbalize his psychic trauma.
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