Retired doctors

When a doctor retires from practice, it needn’t signal their departure altogether from involvement with all things medical. Many choose to remain in touch with the profession, either socially or in some professional capacity. Possible ways of remaining in touch with the profession include:

• occupying volunteer positions, for example in free clinics and charitable institutions, allowing doctors to help out and pass on experience and expertise
• mentoring younger physicians
• registering for emergency health professionals lists, which would be utilised in a case of pandemic disease
• joining a retired doctors association.

The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) has a Retired Fellows and Members Association, which provides its members with an opportunity to contribute to the activities of the RCP and enjoy scientific, cultural educational meetings.