Hand Call Practices and Satisfaction: Survey Results From Hand Surgeons in the United States

To describe current hand call practices in the United States (US) and identify aspects of call practices that lead to surgeon satisfaction.

An anonymous survey was administered to practicing members of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, and responses were filtered to US surgeons taking hand call. Hand call was considered: (A) hand-specific call including replantation or microvascular services or (B) hand-specific call without replantation or microvascular responsibilities. Data were collected pertaining to practices, compensation, assistance, frequency, and satisfaction. Descriptive analyses were performed and regionally subdivided. Pearson correlations were used to determine aspects of a call that influenced surgeon satisfaction.

A total of 662 US hand surgeons from 49 states responded. Among the respondents, 38% (251) participate in replantation or microvascular call, 34% (225) participate in hand-specific call excluding replantation, and 28% (186) do not participate in hand-specific call. Of those practicing hand call (476), 60% take 6 or fewer days of call per month, 62% have assistance with staffing consultations, 65% have assistance with surgical procedures, and 49% are financially incentivized to take call. More than half (51%) reported that they have a protected time for call aside from their elective practice, and 10% of the surgeons reported that they have a dedicated operating room (OR) time after a call to care for cases. Two percent reported that the day following call is free from clinical duties. Only 46% of the surgeons were satisfied with their call schedule, with the top concerns among unsatisfied respondents relating to pay, OR availability, and burnout. The factors correlating to surgeon satisfaction included less frequent call, assistance with performing consultations and surgery, pay for call, and OR availability.

The majority of US hand surgeons are not satisfied with their current call practices, with frequent concerns relating to pay, OR availability, and burnout.

These findings may promote awareness regarding aspects of hand call that correlate with surgeon satisfaction and highlight practice patterns that may reduce burnout.