If you are a hospitalist and are considering signing a contract that includes a non-compete, don’t let this column lead you to believe that the practice is trying to treat you unfairly. But it is reasonable for you to ask the group representative why they see it as necessary. You might get lucky and find that they’re willing to delete or shorten it.
Conclusion
When it comes to hospitalist contracts, no one formula can apply to all practices or to all physicians. Careful analysis of the contract by both parties, however, along with a few well-thought-out questions, might prevent future problems. TH
Dr. Nelson has been a practicing hospitalist since 1988 and is a co-founder and past-president of SHM. He is a principal in Nelson/Flores Associates, a national hospitalist practice management consulting firm. This column represents his views and is not intended to reflect an official position of SHM.