The healthcare industry is struggling to fill open positions. Staffing shortages remain an issue, and burnout rates are on the rise. The job market is also evolving, leaving many healthcare organizations to wonder how they can overcome these challenges and remain competitive.

Many organizations are looking into short-term doctor placements to fill these open positions and ensure adequate staffing. Clinicians appreciate having access to these positions as they offer flexibility. Facilities benefit because patient care continues uninterrupted when staffing shortages are resolved. Temporary medical staffing is driving the future of this industry. Why are locum tenens essential now?

Worker Shortages

Many people are aware that there is a physician shortage in the country. The Association of American Medical Colleges reports that the country may be short 86,000 physicians within the next decade. Current physicians are aging, with approximately 40% of workers expected to be 65 or older within this decade. America’s population is also growing older, leading to an increased need for healthcare services.

Unfortunately, there are limited residency spots in the country, reducing the number of new doctors entering the workforce. This medical school bottleneck has far-reaching consequences. Locum tenens are used to fill gaps in healthcare staffing to ensure continuous patient care. These professionals often work in underserved regions of the country and overburdened healthcare facilities.

Increased Demand

The demand for healthcare services is increasing, partly due to physician burnout and a mass exodus from the industry. Physicians who worked throughout the pandemic are now looking for non-traditional employment opportunities, leaving healthcare systems to rely more on temporary providers. Furthermore, healthcare workers prioritize flexibility when looking for jobs. They want to ensure they maintain the appropriate work-life balance, and will put this balance before securing a permanent position.

Flexibility

Many people look for permanent positions because they want job security. However, doctors are now overwhelmed with heavy workloads and administrative tasks.  Working as a locum tenens removes these burdens. Healthcare workers gain more control over their schedule and the location where they work. They may choose to travel and explore different healthcare settings and various parts of the country. Thanks to this flexible schedule, healthcare professionals find it easier to maintain the appropriate work-life balance and reduce their risk of burnout.

Many clinicians turn to locum tenens work when they are preparing to retire or looking for a new permanent position. Retiring workers find they can keep their foot in the industry by choosing when and where they work. They won’t go from a full-time position to having more free time than they know what to do with. Individuals looking for a new position may work as locum tenens to ensure they find the right fit for their needs.

Benefiting From the Gig Economy

The gig economy has taken off in recent years. Many people work either full-time or part-time, delivering restaurant orders, running errands for people, or holding virtual fractional positions. Healthcare workers see the flexibility these jobs offer, and they are drawn to similar opportunities. Locum tenens work in the gig economy and reap the benefits of doing so, unlike their peers in full-time positions.

Healthcare workers enjoy the autonomy that comes with the gig economy. They can be their own bosses, determining how often they work and how much they make. Technology makes finding open positions easy, allowing workers to filter them to only those that meet their specific requirements. Medical facilities also benefit from the gig economy. They can scale staffing as needed rather than hiring full-time workers who may remain idle for extended periods. According to the Healthcare Financial Management Association, use of locum tenens can lead to cost savings for medical organizations while improving patient outcomes. 

Technological Advances

Telemedicine has also helped support locum tenens growth. Healthcare professionals can now provide remote consultations across the country. States are recognizing the need for more healthcare professionals and streamlining their telehealth licensing requirements. With the help of telemedicine, individuals in underserved regions receive timely care. 

Licensing and credentialing challenges have been present for quite some time now. Authorities recognize that they must take steps to make it easier for healthcare professionals to obtain state licensing and hospital licensure. The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact is one way they are working to remove obstacles to obtaining the necessary licensing and credentials. 

Some states are now offering locum licenses through an expedited process that allows these individuals to obtain the necessary licensing and credentialing to work across state lines. Credentialing automation is becoming more commonplace to accelerate this process, and many healthcare organizations are also working with staffing agencies to streamline the hiring of locum tenens.

Artificial Intelligence

AI is being used to address staffing shortages in healthcare organizations. These organizations are using predictive analytics to schedule workers and ensure adequate coverage.  With the help of this technology, providers can easily find their ideal assignments, and contracting and scheduling are automated to place workers in less time.

Challenges That Must Be Addressed

Particular challenges are seen when healthcare organizations employ locum tenens. The primary concern is continuity of care, so organizations are improving their handoff procedures to ensure nothing is overlooked. Many organizations often offer more extended contracts to locums to provide greater stability, and authorities are looking at regulatory and policy changes.

With increased use of locum tenens, reimbursement model changes may be forthcoming. States are reviewing their licensing requirements, and federal and state policies are being examined to incentivize or restrict the use of these temporary professionals. Locum tenens will never replace full-time staff members, but they can supplement existing staff to minimize staffing shortages and ensure continuity of care. 

While staffing shortages remain a concern in healthcare, changes are being made to minimize these shortages. Locum tenens will be an essential part of this future. Healthcare workers seeking to improve their work-life balance and gain more control over their careers and schedules should consider these positions. Those who do so find they benefit in countless ways, and healthcare organizations also see benefits. Everybody wins in this arrangement.