The healthcare industry relies more on locum tenens today to ensure that all Americans can promptly get the care they need. These individuals fill gaps in staffing, but more needs to be done. Recruitment and retention efforts must increase. Locum tenens improve efficiency, productivity, and patient satisfaction. They offer flexibility while ensuring care continuity. What impact do they have on healthcare staffing solutions?
Work-Life Balance
Many healthcare workers struggle to balance work and home life. Their family life suffers, and it shows in all they do. Locumsmart provides locum tenens so healthcare organizations can give their permanent staff members time off to better achieve this balance. Locum tenens are flexible and can be called in to work for a few days, weeks, or months. Medical professionals can have more time for their personal lives, which increases their job satisfaction because they know the time off is not harming their patients or impacting the level of care. Locum tenens also have a work-life balance because they work when they want to and refuse assignments when they don’t.
Diverse Medical Settings
Locum tenens work in diverse medical settings. They may be in a hospital one day and a small private practice the next. According to the National Rural Health Association, individuals in rural areas benefit significantly from locum tenens because they make up a significant portion of the medical workforce. Without these professionals, many people would not be able to get the care they need or would be forced to travel long distances to receive this care. Often, they cannot do so, leading to worse health outcomes.
Physician Shortages
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) has been warning of a physician shortage for some time now. The problem is worsening, and steps need to be taken to fill any gaps in staffing. Until solutions are found, locum tenens will bridge the gap. Healthcare organizations call these temporary workers in when a doctor leaves for a different position, a staff member is out for an extended period for personal reasons, or illness hits the organization and many people are unable to work. Locum tenens are frequently used in high-demand specialties.
Care Continuity
The importance of continuity of care cannot be discounted. When locum tenens are brought in, patients can receive the care they need without delay. In 2021, Healthcare Staffing Technologies conducted a study that found that hospitals using locum tenens saw an increase in patient satisfaction scores. Readmission rates decline when locum tenens are used, and postdischarge costs decrease.
Professional Development
Locum tenens have access to learning opportunities. By expanding their skills and knowledge, they can provide a higher level of patient care. Healthcare organizations also benefit, as they have access to individuals who can fill gaps in their knowledge base.
Financial Benefits
Many assume locum tenens are the only ones who benefit financially from this arrangement. While locum tenens work can be lucrative, healthcare organizations also benefit from this arrangement. The organization won’t need to pay for insurance and benefits for these workers. Service gaps close, and patient volume can be maintained, improving the organization’s financial situation.
Reduced Burnout
Burnout is a significant concern in the medical industry today. Locum tenens offer medical professionals flexibility in scheduling. When they can take time off, healthcare workers are less likely to become stressed and burn out, ultimately exiting the field.
Locum tenens benefit the workers who take on these positions and the healthcare organizations they serve. With the help of these men and women, healthcare organizations can provide a higher level of care and achieve better health outcomes. Everyone benefits when this is the case.
