understanding a physician call schedule

[billybobbyk]

<p>Hey there,
From time to time I read about doctors’ call schedules and I was wondering if someone could explain them to me. I’ve seen one reference where they describe call as “1:3” and another where it’s “q9d-12mo”</p>

<p>How would I interpret this? </p>

<p>Thanks. I know this is sort of a random question, but I’m interested.</p>

[Bigredmed]

<p>In medicine, Q means every</p>

<p>So when you write an order as Qday, that means every day.</p>

<p>q9d, would be call every ninth day for a period of 12 months. </p>

<p>I’ve never seen a ratio like the 1:3 you’ve mentioned, but I would interpret that as a q4 schedule - 1 night call, 3 nights off, but perhaps one of the physicians on the board can clarify. Anything more frequent than q4 (assuming they work the maximum 30 hours straight when on call) for residents puts them over the work hour restrictions for that week, so they have to have a schedule the remaining portion of the month that averages to less than 80 hours a week.</p>

[my_0.02]

<p>1:3 is q3 call. Docs in practice frequently work in excess of resident duty hour limits.</p>

<p>Call for private docs needs to be considered in terms of frequency, liability exposure, intensity, response time, and compensation.</p>

[my_0.02]

<p>The 1:3 call definition runs counter to most mathematical conventions – BRM would be correct in his interpretation if docs were correct in their usage.</p>

<p>Most job postings state call as 1:3, 1:4 or the like without providing a definition of 1:3 or 1:4. The few that provide sufficient information for an exact definition support the interpretation of “1:3” as “1/3”.</p>

<p>For example:

There are approximately 400 surgeries performed in the OR per month by 3 General Surgeons. Call coverage is 1:3, and hospital maintains a hospitalist program. Salary range is competitive and negotiable with a one year contract with renewals. Relocation costs and loan repayment are available as well as CME allowance. Benefits include 20 days paid time off, plus 7 holidays, paid malpractice, and full employee benefits package. Please refer to position number KRC.0208.1201.19C.

[Full</a> Time General Surgery Job in Southeast with Rural Health Education & Services positions @ Physician Employment](<a href=“http://www.physemp.com/physician_jobs/all_general_surgery_jobs_in_kansas/page_1.html]Full”>http://www.physemp.com/physician_jobs/all_general_surgery_jobs_in_kansas/page_1.html)</p>

<p>BTW, those of you interested in actual salary information for physicians will find the the [Indeed](<a href=“http://www.indeed.com/”>http://www.indeed.com/&lt;/a&gt;) site useful. Indeed provides metasearching of recruitment agency listing for many professions. To use it, simply plug in the profession and click “find jobs.” (Perhaps this will end speculation about current physician salaries.)</p>