The study surveyed 1,449 neurosurgeons anonymously, with most being 50 years old or older. Survey respondents had varying opinions; 66 percent said there shouldn’t be an age cutoff. Others felt the current maintenance of certification requirements would identify surgeons who may no longer be fit to perform surgery, regardless of age.
More than half — 59 percent — reported MOC exams with patient outcomes reviews and an individual case log would suffice while 42 percent feel tailoring MOC for aging neurosurgeons would make the most sense. Half of the respondents feel additional testing that included cognitive assessments were appropriate for surgeons older than 65 years.
Currently, around one-third of U.S. surgeons are older than 55, according to the report.
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