HEALTH
3 Reasons Doctors Choose to Work Locum Tenens
In recent years, the term “locum tenens,” a Latin phrase whose English translation is “to hold a place,” has been used extensively in the medical industry. However, some health providers and patients are not familiar with this term and what it entails. Fortunately, this article will discuss why healthcare providers look forward to joining the locum tenens opportunity.
1. Freedom and Flexibility
Healthcare providers struggle to strike a work-life balance like professionals in any other career. As a result, they are likely to end up being overwhelmed because their work is generally more demanding and requires advanced skills. Luckily, there is a solution to this, and that is using locum tenens, which seeks to offer flexibility and freedom. The system is adaptable to the needs of the healthcare providers since the physicians can choose to take assignments that will last them for a few days or one that will serve them for months, depending on their needs and schedule.
Another reason many people want to learn about locum tenens for surgeons is because it offers relief and minimizes burnout. Working in a new facility, region, or state can be reinvigorating and give worn-out doctors a chance to change the scenery while still practicing medicine. The best part is that locum tenens are flexible, and doctors can choose a schedule that best suits their needs to avoid burnout.
2. Retirement Renaissances
In most careers, professionals have a specific age when they have to retire regardless of their health or productivity level. This may leave them feeling like they are not useful or relevant after retirement. Luckily, healthcare providers who are retired and are searching for purpose again can choose to work locum tenens. In this case, the retirees can contribute their skills and expertise part-time or temporarily. Depending on what they choose to offer when they join the program, the engagement can be within their previous profession or an entirely new field. That means that they can choose to provide health services whenever they want. They can also do this close to home, where they can be around their families while doing what they enjoy. Alternatively, they can practice in an area they choose or a place they like to visit. At the same time, they can choose to do it full-time or part-time.
3. Medicine Side Gigs
Another reason why doctors work in a locum is to make money on the side. Healthcare experts can use their free time, weekends, or vacations to work in other facilities and enjoy extra income. At the same time, the compensation for locum is competitive since health service providers receive relatively higher hourly rates than their counterparts. Therefore, some physicians take small assignments while others get various services and choose to make locum their full-time job.
Sometimes, the assignments include benefits like travel reimbursements, housing, and malpractice insurance coverage. This helps to enhance the overall financial appeal. The money the healthcare experts make on the side can be used to pay off student loans, savings, or other expenses.
These are the primary reasons many physicians consider locum tenens positions. The program is adaptable, offers retirement renaissances, and is a great medicine side gig for health care experts. Others are attracted by the competitive package and the chance for healthcare experts to tailor their assignments to their preferences. Therefore, locum tenens has many benefits that improve the experience of many healthcare experts.
Kenneth is a proud native of sydney, born and raised there. However, he pursued his education abroad and studied in Australia. Kenneth has worked as a journalist for almost a decade, making valuable contributions to prominent publications such as Yahoo News and The Verge. Currently, he serves as a journalist for The Hear Up, where he focuses on covering climate and science news. You can reach Kenneth at [email protected].
