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Many doctors picture retirement as mornings in the clinic and afternoons at home. A recent survey of 5000 physicians (average age, 63 years) by Deutsches Ärzteblatt, a German medical journal, found that about three quarters could see themselves practicing until age 70 or beyond, and nearly 1 in 5 even until age 75 or later, but not in full-time roles; on average, respondents preferred about 16 hours of work per week.

One example is 66-year-old general practitioner Elmar Arens, profiled by German public broadcaster Tagesschau. After 30 years of practice in North Rhine-Westphalia in western Germany, Arens and his wife moved to a mountainous region in southwest Germany to enjoy retirement. Yet hobbies such as gardening and cooking did not keep him fulfilled. When a neighbor, the medical director of a hospital in Freiburg, invited him to join a pilot project and take a part-time role at the clinic, he readily accepted.

Back on the Ward — and Needed Again

Since then, Arens has worked a 40% position as a permanent member of the orthopedic ward team. Initially skeptic, his colleagues now appreciate his internal medicine expertise. For about 4 hours a day, he covers routine internal medicine tasks that can easily be overlooked on an orthopedic ward. He monitors blood pressure and blood sugar; watches for side effects, particularly in older patients with multiple comorbidities; and responds to quick requests such as, “Could you take a look at this swollen leg?”

What Arens values most is having the time to sit at the bedside and answer patient questions. This not only reassures patients but also eases the workload of clinical staff, who often lack the time for such interactions.

A Question of Timing

Arens is not alone in wanting to remain active in medicine. On Coliquio, a Medscape Network platform, users recently discussed why many doctors delay retirement. One recurring theme is the desire to continue being needed by patients. After decades of practice, it can be a shock when knowledge and experience suddenly go unused.

Some physicians look forward to a life free of professional obligations, whereas others prefer to keep working as long as they remain healthy and capable. Without external factors dictating retirement, the decision often becomes an individual negotiation. As one US psychiatrist wrote in a comment on a previous article, capturing the ambivalence with brevity, “I retired 3 or 4 times, finally at age 75.”

Continuing to Work — but on Their Own Terms

That the medical profession has downsides that can erode job satisfaction is undisputed. Discussions on platforms such as Coliquio and findings from the Ärzteblatt survey underscore this point. The most commonly cited reason for leaving practice, named by 73% of respondents, was excessive bureaucracy.

For many doctors, continuing to practice in retirement depends on meeting certain conditions. Three factors stood out in the survey: flexible scheduling (87%-90% approval), reduced bureaucracy (81%), and financial incentives (76%). For many, the ideal balance is part-time work that allows them to concentrate on medicine without being overwhelmed by administrative tasks.

As one Coliquio member who specializes in pediatrics and adolescent medicine wrote, “Since retiring, I’ve continued to work with my specialized expertise, albeit with reduced hours. It’s a tremendous joy — for me and my patients. I can recommend anyone to contribute their knowledge and clinical experience. It’s simply wonderful to work without the administrative tasks, just for the patient. The financial reward is secondary.”

Beyond the sense of being needed, part-time practice also provides structure. A Coliquio member with specialization in psychotherapy shared, “I still enjoy the work very much. It structures my day and week, is good for me physically and mentally, and my cognitive performance is maintained.”

Does Life Offer More?

At the same time, retirement can open new horizons when embraced without professional obligations. The wish to spend more time with family is a decisive factor — 70% of surveyed doctors cited it as the main reason for fully stepping away from medicine. One Coliquio member from cardiology encouraged colleagues to embrace the new phase: “Life offers much more than just treating patients.”

Similar ambivalence was evident among US physicians. Some questioned staying in a strained healthcare system, others worried about making mistakes with age, and still others wondered how to fill retirement with new, meaningful pursuits.

There is no universal “right” or “wrong.” For some, leaving medicine brings a liberating new beginning. For others, continuing practice is a source of gratitude, knowing nothing lasts forever. As one common saying in the discussions put it, “Always best to leave the party while you’re still having fun.”

At the very least, when the joy of practicing medicine fades, it may be time to turn to the next chapter of life.

This story was translated from Coliquio.