CROSS COVER FOR PHYSICIANS - AN ADDITIONAL BURDEN

Objective: To examine the extra burden placed on consultant physicians when providing cross cover for colleagues who are absent on annual or study leave. Methods: A questionnaire was sent to 455 consultant phys icians with an interest in gastroenterology, practising in the UK in O ctober 1996. Results: The response rate was 77%, with 350 completed fo rms returned. Ninety percent of respondents participate in the acute i ntake; they provide 85% of cross cover for their colleagues. Only 2% o f this burden is carried by the appointment of locums. Conclusion: Pro vision of satisfactory cover for inpatients under the care of absent c olleagues can place serious demands on consultants at a time when thei r specialty commitments are also high. Future manpower planning must t ake these added burdens into consideration.