Locum Tenens Corner: General Surgery

By Joan Pearson - President, Catalina Medical Recruiters

With the continuing physician shortage, locum tenens may be a solution for hospitals and medical groups who are struggling to meet their patients' needs. Statistics show a shortage of approximately 1,300 General Surgeons in the United States within the next two years; therefore staffing agencies are anticipating a huge increase in the need for locum tenens General Surgeons.

Fortunately, locum tenens is appealing to many Surgeons. A temporary Surgeon can work short or long-term assignments and focus strictly on scheduled procedures and operations and not worry about the administrative tasks of private practice. The locum tenens firm arranges for the malpractice insurance, reimbursement to the physician, roundtrip travel and lodging. The facility is charged a daily rate and retains all fees generated by the surgeon while all administrative details are taken care of by the staffing agency.

Locum Tenens is growing in popularity with physicians and mid-levels in all specialties. In the past, locum tenens physicians were older physicians looking to cut back on their workload. But this is not the case today – many mid-career physicians are accepting locum tenens assignments. Also, young physicians just out of training and building their practice are providing locum tenens coverage to augment their income. Locum tenens coverage has become popular among the 7,000+ female Surgeons too. They enjoy it because it allows them to work part-time, freeing up more time to spend with their families.

Locum tenens physicians realize they have flexibility in their work schedule and have a quality of life they never experienced in private practice. They are eager to put their time and energy into strictly patient care.

If your facility has a need for additional staffing, you may want to consider locum tenens coverage.

If you would like more information, please contact Joan Pearson at Catalina Medical Recruiters at 800-657-0354 or joan@catalinarecruiters.com.

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