Call Schedule

Our call schedules are collaboratively developed by the administrative chief resident and a peer-elected PGY-3 resident, ensuring fairness and transparency. Each resident typically has at least one call-free weekend per month to enjoy time off in Wilmington. Our three-person night float team covers Sunday through Thursday nights, supporting a consistent and manageable workload. In addition to designated vacation and sick leave, holiday call responsibilities are distributed equitably among residents.

Providing residents with a well-rounded academic and clinical education is thoughtfully designed to balance high-quality patient care with resident safety, well-being, and professional development. Our program emphasizes shared responsibility between faculty and residents to ensure the safety and continuity of care for all patients. Clinical and educational work hours — commonly referred to as duty hours — include all activities related to the residency program. This encompasses inpatient and outpatient patient care, administrative responsibilities, transitions of care, in-house call, scheduled didactics, and any clinical work performed from home (including moonlighting).

Per Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) requirements:

• Residents are limited to a maximum of 80 hours of clinical and educational work per week, averaged over four weeks.
• There should be at least 8 hours off between scheduled clinical and educational work periods.
• After a 24-hour in-house call, residents must have at least 14 hours free of clinical duties and education.
• Residents must receive one full day off in seven, averaged over four weeks.
• Continuous scheduled clinical and educational work periods must not exceed 24 hours, with up to four additional hours allowed for patient care transitions or educational activities that enhance safety and learning.