Work limitations?

[Quixotic]

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Does anyone know what type of work limitations ER's put on the physicians? For instance, at an ER I used to volunteer at, they limited the number of 12hr shifts per month to 15. Is this typical of most hospitals?

For me, I can never seem to get enough work. It's like I'm in a different zone while at work on focusing only on the task at hand with nary a thought of the outside world. I would like to work 6 days a week to maximize my impact and keep my mind active at least for the first 5 years. At that point I may decide to cut it down to 5 days a week.

 

[DocWagner]

"Work limitations" are created by the group of physicians. Usually this is a number that is considered "safe" by the group. In other words, one group considers 120 hours a month to be full time,in turn the ideal situation may be to avoid anyone working more than 170 hours...it REALLY creates fatigue and in turn poor decision making.
Remember, there is a clear difference between the resident in the ED and the Attending working solo. 15 12's is alot of shifts as an attending, and depending on the volume of the facility 12 12's is plenty. Remember, when you are an attending...being at home and SPENDING the money is much more fun than being at work.
I really think you will change your tune once you have...uh...gained some experience and or gained a significant other/family that will take priority.

 

[Quixotic]

I hate spending money; I'm just not that type. Heck, I would sleep in my car before shelling out $40 for a hotel room. I just love to work, sick I know. If limitations were imposed by one group, could I simply work at another ER to make up for the shifts they wouldn't give me there? Of course they would have a foolish no-compete clause, but I don't mind driving an hour away to get outside the radius.

 

[Bent Aub]

I hate spending money; I'm just not that type. Heck, I would sleep in my car before shelling out $40 for a hotel room. I just love to work, sick I know. If limitations were imposed by one group, could I simply work at another ER to make up for the shifts they wouldn't give me there? Of course they would have a foolish no-compete clause, but I don't mind driving an hour away to get outside the radius.

Wow, you're hard core!

 

[deleted109597]

I hate spending money; I'm just not that type. Heck, I would sleep in my car before shelling out $40 for a hotel room. I just love to work, sick I know. If limitations were imposed by one group, could I simply work at another ER to make up for the shifts they wouldn't give me there? Of course they would have a foolish no-compete clause, but I don't mind driving an hour away to get outside the radius.

If you hate spending money, then why do you need to work so much?

And no, there is no federal law for physicians like there is for truck drivers, airline pilots, and residents. You can work as much as you want. I knew of a person who worked 28 days per month after graduating, because he was single, and could do it. Paid off his loans rather quickly. Didn't burn out, but was ready to slow down after only a couple years.

 

[DocWagner]

No one can work constantly...long hours in the ED without a significant toll on ones body and mind. It happens WITHOUT you knowing it, but the people around you notice it.

Hobbies are nice.

 

[beyond all hope]

Lots of new docs put in a crapload of OT when they first get out.

It's liberating to get out of residency and actually make money for the hours you work. The problem is that some people get used to that much income and then are forced to continue working 45-60 hours/week (which may not seem like much, but that's a lot of hours for the ED.) That will probably lead to burnout.

I work about 40 clinical hours and 10-15 nonclinical hours now but I know I'm going to cut back in a few years so it doesn't bother me. I like the extra income and clinical exposure.