Impact of Physician Age on Patient Mortality

The study examines the association between the age of emergency physicians and the seven-day mortality rates of Medicare patients aged 65 to 89 years following emergency department visits. Findings indicate that younger physicians, particularly those under 40 years, have lower mortality rates compared to their older counterparts. Specifically, the overall seven-day mortality rate was found to increase incrementally with the age of the physician, with significant differences noted between those under 40 and those aged 50 and over. This suggests that not only physician age but also factors related to healthcare settings may influence patient outcomes.