2024 Survey of Locum Tenens Physicians and Advanced Practitioners
Pay, Paperwork and Travel A large majority of those surveyed (92%) said “pay rate” was a most or moderately rewarding aspect of locum tenens. Locum tenens providers earn per diem pay rate that can be commensurate to what they might earn in a private practice, provided they are willing to work full-time and even overtime. Those who do not work a full-time schedule are unlikely to achieve compensation equivalent to what they could earn in a permanent practice. However, as was referenced above, the locum tenens payment model is relatively straightforward compared to many permanent practice settings. An additional 86% of physicians and APPs rated “reduced bureaucracy/paperwork” as a most rewarding or moderately rewarding aspect of locum tenens. Paperwork is not absent in locum tenens practice, but often it is less onerous than in permanent practice, which many locum tenens providers find to be liberating. Seventy-two percent of those surveyed rated “travel” as most rewarding or moderately rewarding aspect of locum tenens. While locum tenens physicians and APPs generally enjoy travel, the survey suggests they do not find travel to be their primary reward. It is rated fourth after “flexibility/freedom,” “pay rate,” and “reduced bureaucracy,” indicating providers choose locum tenens not primarily as a form of tourism but as a way to enhance their working conditions. Career Enrichment The survey asked physicians and APPs if working locum tenens had affected them in any of a variety of ways. Seventy percent said locum tenens work had enhanced their understanding of different delivery systems. Healthcare treatments and protocols may differ from region to region and even from facility to facility. Locum tenens providers get to experience these differences and care delivery nuances firsthand. An additional 56% said locum tenens expanded their networking opportunities, while 55% said they have established valuable personal relationships working locum tenens. Fifty-five percent said locum tenens has afforded them positive travel experiences. That number might be higher if the majority of locum tenens assignments took place in popular tourist destinations, but that is not always the case. Sometime locum tenens assignments are in remote areas not often frequented by travelers. The Challenges of Working Locum Tenens Every practice style presents challenges, including locum tenens. When asked to rate the challenging aspects of locum tenens, 71% of physicians and APPs said “lack of benefits” is a most challenging or moderately challenging factor. As was referenced above, locum tenens providers work as independent contractors, and therefore must arrange for their own health insurance, retirement plans and other benefits, though they are provided with malpractice insurance through the staffing agencies that place them. Survey respondents cited “being away from home” as another challenge of locum tenens. While many locum tenens providers enjoy travel, it nevertheless can be complicating for those who have spouses or children. While locum tenens
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