For IM residents:

How many hours do you work on average?

Are there programs (perhaps community based) that have less call? I heard of one program in Illinois that has very infrequent call due to an established night float system.

I know most programs are q4-5 call for many months; I am curious to know if there is variability here and if there may be some good programs that would not require such a rigorous schedule (but also offer excellent training).

Thanks for your input.

For IM residents:

How many hours do you work on average?

Are there programs (perhaps community based) that have less call? I heard of one program in Illinois that has very infrequent call due to an established night float system.

I know most programs are q4-5 call for many months; I am curious to know if there is variability here and if there may be some good programs that would not require such a rigorous schedule (but also offer excellent training).

Thanks for your input.


You also have to look at the type of call. There is the full-night call or long call, the short call, the beeper call, etc. Places with night float have the short call wherein you are on call q4-5 from 5 PM to 10 PM when the night float arrives. This is not as hectic as the full call till the next morning, in places without the night float system. You will be on the night float team for 4-6 weeks of the year, where you will be working all night, from 10 PM to the next morning.