business
Most locum tenens hospitalists also hold full-time jobs
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Oct. 17, 2011
Ten percent of hospitalists worked on a locum tenens basis in the past year, and most did so while holding full-time positions, said a survey released Oct. 3 by Locum Leaders, a staffing company in Alpharetta, Ga.
"Since most hospitalist programs rely on a seven-on, seven-off schedule, you end up with a large population of doctors who have a lot of time off. They want to use that time productively," said Robert Harrington, MD, chief medical officer of Locum Leaders.
A total of 750 hospitalists responded to the survey this summer, and 82% who worked locum tenens had full-time jobs. An additional 7% worked part time, and 11% worked only locum tenens. Of those who worked locum tenens, 77% did so for the pay and 60% for the flexibility.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/10/17/bibf1017.htm.
