business
More hospitalists working locum tenens
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Oct. 15, 2012
The proportion of hospitalists filling locum tenens assignments grew from 10% in 2011 to 11.6% in 2012, according to a survey released Oct. 1 by Locum Leaders, a staffing company in Alpharetta, Ga. A total of 750 physicians in the specialty responded in 2011, and 966 were included in 2012.
The survey found that more hospitalists are working locum tenens on a full-time basis or in addition to a full-time, permanent position. A total of 14.5% said they were full-time locum tenens hospitalists in 2012, but only 10.8% said the same in 2011. About 64% said in 2012 that they worked as full-time staff hospitalists but also filled locum tenens assignments.
In 2011, 82% of locum tenens hospitalists also had full-time, permanent positions. Of those working locum tenens in 2012, 73.5% did so for the compensation, and 68.7% liked the freedom to choose when and where to work. About 74% said time away from home and family was a major drawback of locum tenens work, and 63.2% cited the uncertainty of assignments.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/10/15/bibf1015.htm.
