Profession

Doctors like flexibility of locum tenens, study finds

NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Feb. 7, 2005

Print  |   Email  |   Respond  |   Reprints  |   Like Facebook  |   Share Twitter  |   Tweet Linkedin

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.

Back to top


ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISE HERE


Featured
Read story

Confronting bias against obese patients

Medical educators are starting to raise awareness about how weight-related stigma can impair patient-physician communication and the treatment of obesity. Read story


Read story

Goodbye

American Medical News is ceasing publication after 55 years of serving physicians by keeping them informed of their rapidly changing profession. Read story


Read story

Policing medical practice employees after work

Doctors can try to regulate staff actions outside the office, but they must watch what they try to stamp out and how they do it. Read story


Read story

Diabetes prevention: Set on a course for lifestyle change

The YMCA's evidence-based program is helping prediabetic patients eat right, get active and lose weight. Read story


Read story

Medicaid's muddled preventive care picture

The health system reform law promises no-cost coverage of a lengthy list of screenings and other prevention services, but some beneficiaries still might miss out. Read story


Read story

How to get tax breaks for your medical practice

Federal, state and local governments offer doctors incentives because practices are recognized as economic engines. But physicians must know how and where to find them. Read story


Read story

Advance pay ACOs: A down payment on Medicare's future

Accountable care organizations that pay doctors up-front bring practice improvements, but it's unclear yet if program actuaries will see a return on investment. Read story


Read story

Physician liability: Your team, your legal risk

When health care team members drop the ball, it's often doctors who end up in court. How can physicians improve such care and avoid risks? Read story

  • Stay informed
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • LinkedIn