First few Article Sentences
To protect their valuable assets (patients, goodwill, and confidential information) and investments (recruiting, training and development costs), healthcare employers commonly require physicians to agree to restrictive covenants as a condition of employment. These restrictions typically provide that, upon termination, the physician will not: (1) work within a defined, surrounding geographical area for a prescribed time period; and/or (2) solicit or serve former patients for a prescribed time period. Both restrictions are frequently labeled “noncompete agreements,” although the latter allows for competition while merely creating patient restrictions. Other common restrictions include non-solicitation of employees, confidentiality, and provisions to make clear who owns creations or inventions.