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Physician Contract Glossary · Contract Structure

Call Coverage

Call coverage is your obligation to be available for after-hours and weekend patient emergencies, and unrestricted call is a leading driver of burnout.

Call coverage is the duty to handle patient emergencies outside normal hours. The contract should state the frequency, such as one in four or one in six, whether call is paid separately, whether you take it from home or in-house, and how it is shared as the group grows. Open-ended or escalating call obligations are one of the most common sources of physician burnout and one of the most overlooked terms.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

Get the call frequency and structure in writing, including what happens if a partner leaves and the rotation tightens. Unlimited or as-needed call language can quietly turn into a schedule that consumes your life.

Related terms

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