On-call

On-call

In the medical profession, being "on-call" refers to a period during which a healthcare professional, such as a doctor or nurse, is available to respond to emergencies or provide care outside of regular working hours. This system is crucial in ensuring that patients receive timely medical attention when needed, especially in hospital settings.

Overview

The on-call system is an integral part of healthcare delivery, particularly in hospitals and emergency services. It ensures that medical professionals are available to handle urgent cases, provide consultations, and perform necessary procedures at any time of the day or night.

Types of On-call

There are several types of on-call arrangements, including:

• In-house on-call: The healthcare professional remains within the hospital premises and is available to respond immediately to any emergencies.
• Home on-call: The professional is not physically present at the hospital but is available to come in if needed. This arrangement often involves carrying a pager or mobile phone.
• Shift-based on-call: In some settings, on-call duties are divided into shifts, ensuring continuous coverage without overburdening any single individual.

Responsibilities

While on-call, medical professionals are expected to:

• Respond promptly to pages or calls.
• Provide immediate care for emergency cases.
• Make critical decisions regarding patient care.
• Communicate effectively with other healthcare team members.

Challenges

Being on-call can be demanding due to:

• Sleep disruption: On-call duties often involve working irregular hours, which can lead to sleep deprivation.
• Stress: The need to make quick, high-stakes decisions can be stressful.
• Work-life balance: Frequent on-call duties can interfere with personal time and family life.

On-call in Different Specialties

Different medical specialties have varying on-call requirements:

• Surgery: Surgeons may be on-call to perform emergency surgeries.
• Internal Medicine: Internists may be on-call to manage acute medical conditions.
• Pediatrics: Pediatricians may be on-call to address urgent issues in children.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

Healthcare institutions must ensure that on-call duties comply with labor laws and ethical standards. This includes:

• Fair compensation: On-call work should be compensated appropriately.
• Reasonable hours: Limits on the number of consecutive hours on-call to prevent burnout.
• Patient safety: Ensuring that on-call professionals are not overworked, which could compromise patient care.

Also see

• Emergency medicine
• Shift work
• Medical residency
• Healthcare system

Resources

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Source: Data courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Since the data might have changed, please query MeSH on On-call for any updates.

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