The recent poll addressed the testing of physicians in later career for competency and particularly dexterity for interventional cardiologists. Just of half of respondents supported a general competency/skill testing for interventional cardiologists, with over 70% suggesting such a test should include a dexterity component. Interesting results. One might expect physicians to oppose testing in general. Regarding the dexterity responses, although dexterity and motor skills decline, much of the surgical studies have not shown significant, predictable changes. I suspect that physicians adapt to the slow, subtle changes in their dexterity and compensate by adopting alternative means of achieving the same results. The difficult issue is identifying those who have disruptive changes or who adapt poorly. Thanks for all the responses.

Keywords: Physicians, Occupations, Coronary Angiography

< Back to Listings