March 22, 2023
The development of physicians choosing locum tenens is on the rise, with roughly 7%, or 50,000 physicians, having labored at the least one locum tenens project prior to now yr, in line with CHG Healthcare’s 2023 State of Locum Tenens Report launched in the present day.
This represents an 88% enhance in physicians taking locum tenens assignments since 2015, in line with the report.
Amongst physicians working locum tenens, 43% presently work full time, up from 30% in 2019.
Prime causes for healthcare organizations to proceed utilizing locum tenens embrace sustaining entry to look after sufferers and filling briefly vacant positions when clinicians are on household go away or trip.
In the meantime, 59% of physicians with locum tenens expertise reported taking their first project inside 10 years of finishing their medical coaching. The report famous that regardless of rising charges of physicians in search of locum tenens engagements earlier of their careers for work/life stability, the most important phase of the present locum tenens workforce is mid- to late-career physicians over age 45.
One other vital discovering: Extra organizations at the moment are utilizing locum tenens to fulfill rising affected person demand throughout peak intervals, resembling influenza season.
Total, 71% of physicians reported having a really constructive or considerably constructive impression of locum tenens.
Moreover, 79% of administration workers and 76% of doctor colleagues said they accepted locums physicians, with 16% and 13% of these teams embracing the mannequin.
“Influential affiliation and healthcare group leaders perceive the worth of a strategic, proactive strategy to short-term staffing and adaptability, particularly when partnered with a robust and caring staffing accomplice,” CHG Healthcare CEO Scott Beck mentioned. “Locum tenens present an important security internet for persevering with affected person entry to care whereas additionally giving physicians going through burnout a versatile technique to proceed practising.”
CHG defines locum tenens, or locums, because the apply of physicians, PAs and NPs taking short-term jobs in healthcare amenities with staffing wants. Locums permit everlasting workers to take holidays or leaves, fill gaps in protection or present care in areas unable to recruit everlasting workers.