The advent of managed care has created many exciting changes and opportunities within the health care field, particularly affecting the ways in which physicians practice medicine. One result has been the increased use of locum tenens, or temporary physician staffing, which has become more popular among physicians and health care institutions over the last ten years. Prior to managed care, physicians typically were locally-based health care providers. However, now, there are a variety of options from which physicians can choose, one being locum tenens. One overriding benefit is that it gives physicians the freedom and flexibility to practice medicine at their discretion, without practice hassles.
Physicians choose temporary work for a number of reasons.
A temporary position gives them that luxury. Physicians also may only want to work six months out of the year, thus being unable to make a long-term commitment to one institution. Physicians who elect to use locum tenens services encompass a broad range of age groups and medical specialties. Physicians in between permanent positions, graduating residents and older physicians pursue locum tenens opportunities in order to travel and practice at their leisure. Graduating residents are more often turning to locum tenens firms to fulfill their needs until they find the right practice opportunity.