Financial Compensation for Resident Call Coverage During Parental Leave: An Actuarial Analysis.

Abstract

Objective: To propose that applying actuarial methods to make recommendations for financial compensation of residents for additional call related to co-resident parental leave is one option for decreasing potential resentment of those burdened while also improving wellness of those on parental leave.

Methods: Our analysis focused on a cohort of 16 urology residents at one institution that took call during the 2024-2025 academic year. Resident salaries was used to determine the average hourly pay rate for each residency year. With an estimated 70-hour work week, the average number of hours worked during a weeknight call (7 hours) and weekend call (29 hours) was calculated. This calculation was used to determine total resident compensation needed to cover a six-week parental leave for one resident per year.

Results: Assuming a 70-hour work week, one weeknight call was calculated to be equivalent to $275 and $247 for a junior and chief resident respectively. Similarly, one weekend of call was calculated to be $1,710 and $1,364 for a junior and chief resident, respectively. The estimated total cost to pay 1 junior resident and 1 chief resident to cover co-resident call for 6 weeks of parental leave is $7,743 per year, comprised of $4,216 for junior resident call and $3,527 for chief resident call (2024 dollars).

Conclusions: At our institution, $7,743 per year would reliably cover the costs of compensating residents for additional call burden during a co-resident's six-week parental leave. Availability of such funds could reduce the anxiety associated with parental leave during training.