Cognitive testing of older clinicians prior to recredentialing.

In an effort to identify cognitively impaired clinicians, this institution implemented a cognitive screening test for clinicians aged 70 years or older requesting reappointment to undergo a neuropsychological assessment. Eighteen clinicians (12.7% of those screened) exhibited cognitive deficits that could impair their capacity to practice medicine and who then voluntarily elected to retire or move into a closely proctored environment. Some had limitations in domains such as memory or executive function while others showed deficits in detail or visual analysis, information processing speed, or psychomotor efficiency.