The relevance of employing older medical professionals is driven by the need to address the workforce shortage in the healthcare sector. The qualifications of these specialists are significantly influenced by their work experience in their specialty, which correlates with age-related characteristics. The study utilized statistics from the Moscow Department of Healthcare and data from surveys with specialists working within the Moscow healthcare system. The primary focus was on the qualifications of physicians. The study examined physicians' proficiency in both hard and soft professional skills and found that, in most cases, older physicians outperform younger and mid-career professionals in acquiring hard skills. In terms of soft skills, older physicians lead in competencies such as patient communication and teamwork. Overall, it can be concluded that the qualifications of older physicians often surpass those of other age groups. However, they do face age-related limitations, such as reduced activity levels and weaker cognitive functions, which must be taken into account in continuing medical education programs and work schedules. With proper organization of labour and additional training, the performance of older physicians can be as successful as that of their middle-aged colleagues.

medical specialist, older workers, qualifications, hard skills, soft skills, qualification category, Moscow doctor.