"Retiring Well" is a short series in which retired SND members share their experiences, their wisdom, and their lessons learned to help pave the way for other retiring physicians. 

This recently retired Family Physician member found that a gradual transition into retirement was a key ingredient in their emotional readiness to retire.

What do you wish you had known before retiring?

As a retired physician, I no longer have any ‘pull’ to expedite my own and my family's medical care needs. Being treated like Mr. Joe Public is completely fair, but it's been a revelation about the state of our healthcare system. 

I am happy to report all the hours of ‘spare time’ have magically been filled up. 

What worked well for planning your retirement?

Having a supportive spouse was the biggest key. My emotional readiness to retire was also helped as I reduced my work hours by 20% per year over four years and increasingly learned to enjoy time off. 

In terms of transitioning out of my practice, I started telling patients that I was stopping work nearly a year in advance...I received a call from a new FP in the area a few months after this announcement who said he had already transferred records from 50 of my patients, and asked if I could send him some more. 

The Division also provided my staff with the name of a local office that would accept my more medically difficult patients and I believe we sent them names also. 

How else are you staying involved in the medical community?

I have not as yet felt a need to get back to medicine, though I have been enjoying the ongoing CME learning from journals and articles I receive. Right now, we are in the ‘go go years’ so we're doing lots of traveling; presently, we're preparing for the 823 km Camino del Norte in the spring. 

Is there anything else you'd like to say on the subject of retiring well from family practice?

Letting go of the privilege of being part of the responsibly of my patients' care is a bonus. It is also a great relief not worrying every evening if I had done everything correctly enough with taking care of my patients’ needs the day before.

Are you planning on retiring in the next 5 years? Reach out to the PES team to ask about support and connections for retiring physicians!