Calling all unretired doctors

Doctors who have returned to work after retiring are invited to take part in a Griffith University research project – From Retirement to Renaissance: A Narrative Inquiry Exploring Identity and Purpose of Doctors Unretiring.

Doctors’ decisions to resume working after retirement can have far-reaching and positive effects on the access to and quality of medical services available. The study aims to identify the unique challenges and opportunities associated with doctors unretiring and the identity processes that occur.

Who can take part?

Doctors in Australia who have unretired after a period of retirement and returned to the medical profession. You can be employed either full-time or part-time.

What you will be asked to do?

A 30-45 minute interview either in-person, telephone or online via Teams.

The expected benefits of the research

I ncreased understanding of the individual unretirement experience for Australian doctors and the role of identity and sense making processes that fuel or challenge doctors' journeys as they re-enter the medical profession post-retirement.

Understanding and addressing the needs of doctors unretiring is central to patient care and the dynamics of the healthcare ecosystem because unretiring doctors are a valuable source of expertise, can provide a potential remedy to workforce shortages, can play a pivotal role in addressing the healthcare needs, leveraging their experience to navigate the complexities associated with patient care particularly in rural remote locations and contribute to the delivery of healthcare services.

This research not only aims to inform future policy and healthcare settings to better support unretired doctors, but it will also inform the design and development of tangible and practical resources, processes, and practices for doctors who choose to return to the healthcare profession.  

Risks to you    

There are no foreseeable risks for participants in this study.

Your consent  

No identifiable Personal Information

The data in this study will be collected in anonymous form, which means you cannot be identified in any way. There is nothing within the interview format or record of answers that could ascertain who has participated, therefore your identity remains anonymous at all times. Participant data collected will be presented in research publications in an aggregated way that cannot identify you.

Collected data will be stored in an encrypted password protected electronic file at Griffith University for a period of five years from the final date of publication, before being destroyed. This information can only be accessed by the primary researchers.

How will the data be stored?

Participant's personal information will be stored by:

• Storing interview recordings, transcripts, and data analysis outcomes in a password protected files on the researcher's personal laptop (which is also password-protected)
• Retaining research data and analysis results in password-protected electronic files for a period of five years before being destroyed

No one will have access to interview recordings and transcripts except the student and supervisors. The data and other information will be shared with the supervisors in encrypted forms (password-protected files attached to University emails or uploaded to Teams).

Your participation is voluntary.

Your participation in this study is voluntary. You do not need to answer all the questions unless you wish to do so. Participants are free to stop the interview at any time. There are no foreseeable risks associated with participation in this research and you can be assured that your decision to participate will in no way impact upon your relationship with the organisation.

Questions / further information

For additional information about this project or for any questions, please contact Rakiza Hussein at rakiza.hussein@griffithuni.edu.au or click on the QR Code in the PDF poster below.