2024 Survey of Locum Tenens Physicians and Advanced Practitioners
More Locum Tenens Providers Are 40 or Younger Thirty-eight percent of physicians responding to the survey are 61 years old or older, while 11% are 71 or older, indicating that locum tenens providers are relatively older than providers in permanent practice. However, 17% of survey respondents are 40 or younger, compared to 10% in 2016, suggesting that a growing number of younger physicians and APPs are working locum tenens. For younger physicians, locum tenens serves as a means to “test drive” various practices setting and locations before choosing a permanent position. Selecting a Locum Tenens Assignment The majority of survey respondents (70%) indicated they work 1-3 locum tenens assignments per year. The length of these assignments can vary from just a few days to 12 months or more. Some providers are semi-retired and work locum tenens on a part-time basis, while some are in permanent practice but work locum tenens on a discretionary basis. Over one-third of survey respondents (37%) said they have a permanent position, indicating they “moonlight” as locum tenens. Others choose to make locum tenens their full-time practice style, working temporary assignments year-round. The majority of survey respondents (78%) rated pay as very important when selecting a locum tenens assignment. Locum tenens providers are typically paid at a per diem rate and also are reimbursed for travel and accommodations. Per diem rates vary by profession or medical specialty. APPs generally are paid in the $700 range per diem, while pay for physicians may range widely, from $700 to over $4,000 per diem depending on specialty. Additional pay can be earned through working overtime. By working locum tenens throughout the year, and by working some overtime, providers can earn income comparable to levels common in permanent practice. Sixty percent of physicians and APPs rated “available shifts” as very important when selecting a locum tenens assignment. As was referenced above, available shifts may vary depending on how in demand a particular specialty is. Fifty-seven percent of respondents rated location as very important when selecting a locum tenens assignment. Locum tenens providers choose which assignments they wish to accept and are not obligated by staffing agencies to work any specific number of assignments or to work in any particular location. They may choose specific assignment locations to be close to family, to experience various practice settings or to enjoy local amenities. The majority of those surveyed indicated they confine their choice of locum tenens assignments to regional, state or local areas, while 43% said they are willing to travel nationwide.
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