2024 Survey of Locum Tenens Physicians and Advanced Practitioners
Those providers who work locum tenens in early or mid-career are less likely to work full-time schedules than are providers in permanent positions. Should a growing number of early and mid-career physicians choose to work locum tenens instead of permanent practice, the overall number of FTEs would likely be reduced, contributing to provider shortages. However, if providers choose to work locum tenens early or in mid-career rather than opting for non-clinical positions or retirement, FTEs would be sustained and provider shortages somewhat ameliorated. This would continue to be true for older providers who choose work locum tenens over full retirement. Therefore, the net effect of a growing number of early and mid-career physicians and APPs working locum tenens on overall provider supply at this stage may best be characterized as indeterminant or neutral. Fewer Primary Care Locum Tenens Physicians, More Specialists and APPs Only 11% of survey respondents indicated they are primary care physicians, defined as those who practice family medicine, internal medicine or pediatrics. This is down from 21% in 2016 and is the lowest percent of survey respondents identifying as primary care physicians since AMN Healthcare first conducted the survey in 2001. By contrast, in 2006, 40% of respondents to the survey indicated they were primary care physicians, as did 28% of respondents in 2010. This decline is due in part to the fact that a growing number of survey respondents are APPs. However, it also signals a change in physician supply and demand dynamics. In its July 2021 report, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) projected a shortage of up to 124,000 physicians by 2034, including a shortage of up to 48,000 primary care physicians and an even greater shortage of up to 76,000 specialists (The Complexities of Physician Supply and Demand: Projections From 2018 to 2034. Association of American Medical Colleges. July 2021) . The majority of 2024 survey respondents (65%) indicated they are physician specialists. When hospitals, medical groups and other healthcare facilities cannot find the permanent staff they need, they often turn to locum tenens providers to fill gaps. The use of locum tenens providers therefore can act as a “canary in the coal mine” signaling the types of physicians and APPs who are in short supply and strong demand. The 2024 survey indicates that specialist physicians and APPs are in the highest demand, while there is relatively less demand for primary care physicians. The Majority of Locum Tenens Providers Are Female Over half of 2024 survey respondents (52%) said they are female. Just over one third of all physicians (34%) are female, as are 63% of PAs and 90% of NPs. Physicians represent approximately 70% of survey respondents and are less likely to be female than are APPs. Nevertheless, the survey indicates that female professionals are well represented among the ranks of locum tenens providers. This may be in part a result of the schedule flexibility required by female providers, many of whom are the primary caregivers in their households and require schedules that accommodate their dual roles.
© AMN Healthcare 2024
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