Family practice night-call frequency: 1981-1997

Night call has both service and educational value. This study examined trends in night-call frequency from 1981-1997. Our hypothesis was that night-call frequency is decreasing in family practice residency programs.We reviewed the Directory of Family Practice Residency Programs from 1981, 1989, and 1997 and entered into a database information about call frequency from all of the programs in each year. In-house night-call frequency and frequency of home call requiring other trips to the hospital were combined to determine total calls per year.The mean number of total calls for PGY-1 residents was 190, 124, and 104 for each cohort year, respectively (1981, 1989, 1997). PGY-2 total calls were 160, 96, and 74. PGY-3 total calls were 151, 73, and 57. For all years of residency, total calls in 1997 were fewer than for 1981 and 1989.Family practice residents have less night call now than in 1981 or 1989. The educational consequences of decreasing night call should be evaluated.