The locum tenens physicians seem to have it all figured out. By creating a personalized schedule of locum tenens assignments, increasing their income, and removing key factors that lead to physician burnout, it’s clear to see why doctors love locum tenens work. Along with the ability to travel far or stay in one region, here are just a few reasons why doctors are shifting from their traditional roles to become locum physicians.
Take a Test Drive
Even the best doctors can feel the wear and tear of the same working environment after years in the same place and position, but the locum tenens career model has been at the frontlines of fixing this problem. To stay excited about the field and remain engaged with patients and peers, physicians have turned to locum tenens work to test drive a wide range of facilities effectively. By opening themselves up to innovative technologies, varied patient populations, higher-level mentorship, and changes in their geographic environment, locum tenens doctors get to see what else is available to them, sample different opportunities and subsequently create a better career path for themselves.
Combat Physician Burnout
Burnout has become so widespread that it’s hurting both doctors and their patients. Luckily, locum tenens physicians have found a way to alleviate many of the pain points associated with burnout. Medscape surveyed over 15,000 physicians in 29 specialties for their 2017 Physician Lifestyle Report and shared that 42% of their physician respondents experienced burnout.
Many of the physicians surveyed cited bureaucratic tasks, poor scheduling, and lack of compensation as critical factors in their burnout, and those who take on locum tenens physician jobs have all but eliminated these factors. When working with a locums staffing company like CoreMedical Group, physicians are given access to multiple scheduling options and have the freedom to work when and where they would like to. As a visiting locum tenens doctor, much of the red tape associated with the work is removed, freeing up time to focus on patients instead of paperwork. By supplementing traditional work with locum tenens assignments, physicians can also increase their income and reduce their financial stressors.
Earn Extra Income
Continuing with the trends found in the Medscape survey, the second highest factor impacting burnout is income. By selecting locum tenens work over private practice, physicians or locum nurses can allot more money and relieve the headache of medical school debt, lack of savings, and other common financial issues. Locum tenens physicians have the flexibility to choose facilities across the U.S. that match their professional passions as well as their schedules, creating an ideal situation for increased income on their own terms.
Locum tenens work also allows physicians to provide a life of travel, education, and adventure for their families. With a locum medical group, jobs can be flexible and coincide with school and summer schedules, so that opportunities for locum solutions fit individual needs.
