“Who’s on Backup?”—Exploring Internal Medicine Residency Backup Coverage Systems: Findings from a National Survey - Takeaways - MDSpire

“Who’s on Backup?”—Exploring Internal Medicine Residency Backup Coverage Systems: Findings from a National Survey

  • By

  • Emily S. Wang

  • Joel C. Boggan

  • Emily Leasure

  • Daniel Kim

  • Lydia Redway

  • Erica N. Johnson

  • Patricia F. Kao

  • Steven J. Durning

  • Mark Rasnake

  • May 18, 2026

  • 0 min

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  • 1

    The study surveyed Internal Medicine residency program directors to assess the prevalence and characteristics of backup coverage systems.

  • 2

    Backup coverage systems are essential for managing resident absences due to fatigue, illness, or emergencies, as mandated by ACGME requirements.

  • 3

    Inadequate backup systems contribute to resident burnout and 'sickness presenteeism', where residents work while ill to avoid burdening colleagues.

  • 4

    The survey included 78 questions, with 17 focused on backup systems, and was conducted from August to December 2023.

  • 5

    Findings aim to provide residency leaders with foundational knowledge to improve backup coverage systems in Internal Medicine.

Original Source(s)

“Who’s on Backup?”—Exploring Internal Medicine Residency Backup Coverage Systems: Findings from a National Survey

  • by Emily S. Wang, Joel C. Boggan, Emily Leasure, Daniel Kim, Lydia Redway, Erica N. Johnson, Patricia F. Kao, Steven J. Durning, Mark Rasnake

  • May 18, 2026

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