Paul McCartney was 16 when he first penned the song, "When I'm Sixty-Four." Did he realize back then that he would still be working well into his 70s? Has he had thoughts on transitioning into retirement? Like the music industry, the practice of oncology demands a lot of time in close contact with anxiety, distress, and premature death. Despite these stresses, most oncologists manage to achieve a balanced life by maintaining an interest in research, teaching, and the well-being of patients. Nevertheless, we should all plan for a future beyond full-time oncology. Although we may have informal "corridor discussions" about retirement, usually with older colleagues, there is little practical guidance for a successful transition into retirement.
While accepting that oncologists should plan for a future beyond full-time oncology, there is little practical guidance for a successful transition into retirement. Previously, we provided strategies for various aspects of retirement planning. However, this became significantly more complicated as we face newer issues such as; the COVID-19 pandemic, the move to virtual patient care, greater awareness of burnout, as well as the increasing burden of regulatory issues such as the electronic medical record (EMR). It is evident that more prospective information is needed to guide oncologists in planning their retirement.
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