In the medical profession, retirement can take several forms. A physician may step back from clinical practice to take on an administrative role, retire entirely from public service without continuing in the private sector, or — most concerning — cease engaging with scientific progress while continuing to practice. It is the third category that presents the greatest risk to patients and the healthcare system alike.

The essence of this concern lies in the evolving nature of medicine. Medical knowledge is not fixed; it is a dynamic field driven by continuous research, new discoveries, and emerging treatment protocols. A physician who no longer engages with current research or updates their medical understanding effectively becomes a “scientific retiree” — a practitioner whose decisions are based on outdated knowledge. Such doctors may continue to serve patients, but their relevance and efficacy are increasingly diminished.

In earlier decades, a doctor’s promotion in Kuwait was closely tied to their contributions to scientific research. Earning the title of consultant once required the demonstration of academic engagement and scholarly output. Today, however, many consultants hold the title without having published significant research, if any at all. This trend underscores a troubling shift in priorities and expectations. Internationally, a growing number of regulatory bodies are adopting time-limited medical licenses, requiring physicians to renew their credentials periodically by demonstrating continued learning and professional development. This model ensures that doctors remain current in their fields and committed to lifelong education.

For Kuwait to keep pace with global standards, a cultural and institutional shift is needed. First and foremost, we must instill in our doctors the value of scientific inquiry. To foster this mindset, hospitals and health centers must provide an environment that supports research — complete with specialized medical libraries, access to academic journals, and competent librarians who can assist clinicians in locating and applying relevant studies.

This raises an important question: do such libraries with knowledgeable staff exist in our hospitals today? Research also demands resources: time, equipment, technical support and funding. Unfortunately, the Ministry of Health currently offers limited support in this area, forcing many physicians to seek external funding — often from highly competitive international sources. Another key question must be asked: does the Ministry allocate a research budget that aligns with its expectations of its medical workforce?

Moreover, effective research infrastructure requires cooperation from department heads, who must understand and support the needs of clinician-researchers. It also necessitates greater ease of access to scientific conferences and workshops, particularly for young doctors. Too often, participation in such events is dominated by senior professionals more interested in travel than in scientific advancement. Do we have a serious system in place for continuing education and for evaluating the outcomes of conferences and workshops — especially those focused on developing research skills? Finally, the criteria for promotion in the medical profession must be rooted in merit, scientific contribution, and commitment to professional growth, not favoritism.

If we hope to reduce the number of “retired-in-place” doctors and improve the overall standard of care, we must invest in our younger generation of physicians. We must support and evaluate them on the basis of scientific engagement, dedication, and development. Only through such a commitment can we elevate our medical community to international standards. At present, Kuwait publishes approximately 58 medical research papers per 100,000 people annually. In contrast, the Zionist entity produces around 390. Politics aside, these numbers reflect a stark reality — one that demands urgent and honest self-reflection.

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