For many doctors, looking forward to retirement is a welcome incentive when faced with long hours, pay freezes, red tape, contractual changes and capped pensions.

Some choose to leave the profession early in order to enjoy the freedom and opportunities this can offer but not every doctor considers retirement with the same level of enthusiasm. Despite many years of a highly demanding workload, the chance to kick back and do nothing at all does not always appeal. For some, peace and quiet can be overrated.
Giving up a busy career in the medical profession can be a major transition for those who have believed passionately in the value of their work. However, one school of thought is that those who take up ‘extracurricular’ activities before they retire have a smoother transition into this next stage of life.

“The problem for some doctors is that their job can easily become their whole life. When they retire, suddenly overnight they have lost everything they enjoyed or were good at and everything for which they were held in high regard,” says Professor Nick Gair, chief executive of the ASGBI.

“If they were to apply their skills to other work before they retire, they could make the change of pace and direction much easier to accept, and ultimately enjoy.”

Nick has been involved in the voluntary sector for most of his adult life, a life choice which began when he was a newly-qualified teacher. “I have always believed in the importance of educating the whole person rather than just the academic side so began organising sports clubs for children alongside my lessons. Since then I’ve been heavily involved in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and the Outward Bound Trust, helping young people gain new skills and fulfil their potential.”

Nick believes doctors who give their skills freely to charitable or voluntary organisations are better placed to deal with the opportunities retirement can offer. “If you have been saving lives every day until the time you retire, it’s going to be very difficult to wake up the next day with nothing to do. After the initial holiday, most people with a professional background will want to do something worthwhile.

“If however, you wake up knowing you will be working with say, the Red Cross that day, whether on an overseas project or chairing a fundraising committee, the sense of achievement you gained as a doctor can still be found.

“And the skill set of doctors is incredible. From working under immense pressure, to dealing with the public and keeping to tight budgets; there are many charities which would be very keen indeed to have those people on board.

“I’ve just returned from conducting a three-day health and safety review in the Lake District. I give my time freely but the outcome is that I get to spend time doing something I am passionate about.”

Last year the idea of volunteering grew in popularity following the success of the Olympics in London and the happy sight of the omnipresent ‘games makers’. In the months that followed, many charitable organisations reported a surge of interest from would-be volunteers, keen to enjoy the same teamwork, camaraderie and reward as the inspirational people at the heart of the Games.

Nick continues: “It’s not just about giving; the volunteers at the Games benefitted immeasurably too and no doubt enjoyed a massive sense of achievement. And with charitable work, you may see the immediate fruits of your hard labour, gaining an enormous amount of satisfaction very quickly. On the other hand, as a high-level doctor it might take five years to see the outcome of a strategic plan.”

For Professor Nick Gair, the chance to leave a lasting legacy is a crucial part of volunteering. “There are so many wealthy people who reach retirement and only have their wealth to leave behind to the next generation. For me, I’d rather leave behind an achievement that will continue to help people in the future whether that’s by teaching a young person a new skill or helping them to build something worthwhile .”

How to get involved – Professor Nick Gair shares his tips:

You’ve heard it before but it’s not healthy to be completely consumed by your work; it narrows the thought processes, narrows the opportunities for enjoying life. Towards the end of your career, think about gaining other interests and commitments so that when you give up your regular medical career, you are not leaving everything behind.

  • De-medicalise your CV. You will have amassed an amazing number of non-medical skills as a doctor. Make sure your CV shows that you have overseen budgets, are highly-disciplined, have worked in high pressure environments, have managed resources, have people skills etc.
  • Look outside of medicine if you’d like a complete change of scene or an emotional or physical detachment from your everyday work. There are many opportunities for volunteering from working in a museum to running an orchestra – there will be something which takes you away from what you’ve been doing for 40 years.
  • Look at areas where you have a passion or a belief. If you have always enjoyed sailing, talk to the RNLI. Do what you enjoy. You will be surprised where your passion will take you.
  • Value your skill set – every person has something to offer a charitable organisation. As a senior medical practitioner, your skills are immeasurable. If you have so much to offer, it’s a shame to waste it.