A psychiatrist retires: an oxymoron?

摘要

The author examines the various factors that a psychiatrist may consider in making the decision whether or when to retire. These include one's professional persona, the prevailing professional culture, attachment to patients, practice situation, age, health, family situation, finances, other interests, other professional commitments, adaptability, and more. Personal experience and the limited literature indicate that the prevailing psychiatric professional culture is averse to retirement, but this may vary with changing practice patterns. The decision is a highly individual one that calls for much thought and preparation. This is the first of two articles dealing with retirement.