The Benefits of Locum Tenens to Fight Physician Burnout

burn·out/ˈbərnˌout/:

1. Physical or mental collapse caused by overwork or stress.

 In a recent study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine nearly half of physicians suffer from at least one symptom of burnout. The study used the psychological measurement of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) to test physician exhaustion, cynicism, and inefficacy. Some physicians are tired, worn out, cynical. The increasing uncertainty of the future of healthcare coupled with a growing need for health services can lead to a sense of defeat or hopelessness. The study presents glaringly dismal findings, but there is hope: locum tenens. 

Locum tenens is Latin for “holding/possessing/maintaining the position." In the healthcare industry this term refers to a physician who is filling a temporary assignment. In March of this year, on the physician blog, kevinmd.com, Dr. Duane Gainsburg details how switching to locum tenens was his own personal solution to burnout. (Read more here.) Here are some simple benefits to practicing locum tenens:

No more practice management: Several physicians choose to switch to locum tenens because they no longer have to worry about managing their own practice. Dealing with insurance, hiring and managing employees, worrying about compliance  - all stressors that disappear with locum tenens practice.

Less work, more leisure: The study published in the Archives found that physicians work 10 more hours a week than the average working adult. Locum tenens practice grants physicians the freedom to schedule vacations whenever, travel throughout the country, and work as little or as much as they like - all while benefiting financially from typically higher earnings than salaried employees.

Your time and skill is rewarded: One of the main differences between locums work and permanent work is the way physicians are compensated. Their money is not tied to productivity measures but simply their ability to practice medicine and efforts to be made available. The rates are generous, and the appreciation is sometimes more readily felt.  

Are you a locum tenens physician who escaped burnout? Share your stories with us by commenting below, writing on our Facebook wall, or tweeting us @MedestarLocums. 

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Test your Critical Thinking Skills: Tough Interview Questions

As recruiters, we are always looking for ways to ensure our placements are lasting hires. There's a lot we can do prior to an interview to make sure the candidate is qualified and has a strong interest in the job, but what are we doing during the interview to test their fit?

Glassdoor.com recently collected data from over 80,000 job seekers to find the toughest companies for job interviewees. (Read the article: 25 Toughest Companies for Job Interviewees) The top companies subjected interviewees to brainteasers, timed tests, and skills assessments to determine their fit within the company.
A sample question given was "How many hotels are there in the United States?" (In case you are curious, you can find the actual answer here.) The point of a question like this is to see a candidates' critical thinking skills and his or hers ability to think quickly under pressure. When interviewing someone for a medical provider position, we recommend the following question to gauge this: Describe a clinical situation that didn't go as planned and how you resolved it. The second part of that question is important because you want to know that the provider can find solutions to problems, not just get through them.

Here are some more healthcare interview resources:
Physician Interview Tips
Interview Questions for the Physician
Tips for the First Interview
Top 7 Behavior Based Interview Questions

Did our recruiters make the cut? See how we answered some of the tough questions and test yourself:



What's the craziest question you have been asked on an interview? What are some examples of great interview questions?

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