Reading Your First Employment Contract
Non-competes, tail coverage, and productivity formulas. The clauses new attendings most often regret not negotiating.
Most residents sign their first contract with little guidance. The terms they overlook often matter most years later, when they want to leave or when compensation formulas change.
Clauses to read twice
Pay close attention to restrictive covenants, who pays for malpractice tail coverage, how productivity is measured, and termination terms. Have a healthcare attorney review the agreement before you sign.
Dr. Whitfield is a family physician and practice owner who writes about independent medicine and physician leadership.
This article is for professional education and does not replace clinical judgment. Treatment decisions should be based on the individual patient and current guidelines.
