Profession
Doctors like flexibility of locum tenens, study finds
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Feb. 7, 2005
A new study suggests many doctors choose locum tenens assignments because they don't want to work full time or because they are seeking a more flexible schedule.
"The most striking finding was this emphasis on a more controllable work schedule and flexibility, especially among women physicians," Angelo Alonzo, co-author of the study and professor of sociology at Ohio State University, said in a statement. "If more women physicians seek temporary jobs so they have less stressful lifestyles, it raises issues about the future of health care staffing."
The study was published in the November/December 2004 issue of the Journal of Healthcare Management. Researchers surveyed 776 physicians who worked at least one assignment with CompHealth, a locum tenens placement agency in Salt Lake City.
For women, the top reason for choosing locum tenens work was schedule flexibility. For men, the top reason was the ability to work part time. The other top reasons: to increase income, to travel and to experience a different practice setting.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2005/02/07/prbf0207.htm.
