Many physician contracts contain noncompete clauses. Although it isn't known exactly how many health care contracts contain a noncompete clause, a 2018 study found that 45% of primary care physicians were bound to a noncompete (J Hum Resour 2020;55:1025-67). In January 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) proposed a rule that would prohibit the use of noncompete clauses (also known as restrictive covenants) in employment contracts (asamonitor.pub/3KGYHCn).
Noncompete clauses in contracts can come in a variety of different forms, with unique characteristics for anesthesiologists. Broadly, they specify a period of time and a location during and in which an anesthesiologist is restricted from practice after leaving the employ of a group. Often the restriction is for a one- to three-year period and may specify either a geographic radius or specific institutions at which an anesthesiologist is restricted from practice. They are frequently enacted to protect the...
