Radiologists and other providers are increasingly occupying temporary roles to relieve burnout and add flexibility into their schedules, according to new survey data released Tuesday.
Often referred to as “locum tenens,” Latin for “to hold a place,” such specialists typically work assignments ranging from a few days up to a year. Staffing firm AMN Healthcare recently surveyed nearly 600 medical doctors, nurse practitioners and physician assistants who had worked such a temp job during the past 18 months.
About 86% said they became locum tenens to obtain a better work schedule, the No. 1 reason, while 80% hoped to relieve burnout.
“Many physicians and other healthcare professionals feel they are being pushed from permanent positions by unsatisfactory work conditions,” Jeff Decker, president of Dallas-based AMN Healthcare’s physician solutions division, said in April 23 announcement. “To get them back, employers should offer practice conditions that appeal to today’s providers.”
AMN conducted the survey in April 2024, with radiologists accounting for about 9% of the study sample. Other physician respondents included anesthesiologists (2%), oncologists (3%), surgeons (6%) and hospitalists (10%). Between 2002 and this year, the number of physicians working in temp roles has doubled, from 26,000 up to 52,000, Decker noted.
About 47% of those surveyed said locum tenens work is more satisfying than a permanent position versus 12% who feel it is less rewarding, the survey found. Another 95% rated their morale as “high” or “moderate” after working a temp role, while 5% rated such levels as “low.” However, 45% said they’d return to permanent work if scheduling, wages or other conditions were favorable (vs. 43% who would not).
COVID-19’s aftermath continues to reshape workplace expectations for radiologists and other providers, AMN reported. About 97% of those surveyed cited “freedom/flexibility” as one of the most rewarding aspects of temp work. Roughly 52% of those working as locum tenens are women, possibly owing to their additional duties as family caregivers.
“The one-size-fits-all practice model has less appeal to physicians and other healthcare providers today,” Decker said. “Many are seeking practices tailored to their specific professional interests and personal needs.”
About 81% of those surveyed said they started taking temp work right out of training or mid-career, and 19% did so after retiring. That’s compared to 64% and 36%, respectively, in 2016 prior to the pandemic. This mirrors a 2023 survey from AMN, which found that radiologic technologists are increasingly taking on travel work earlier in their careers.
“Locum tenens is no longer an alternative just for healthcare providers in the twilight of their careers,” Decker added. “Younger providers are working locum tenens as a way to ‘test drive’ practice settings or to opt out of practice environments that don’t meet their needs.”
Marty Stempniak has covered healthcare since 2012, with his byline appearing in the American Hospital Association's member magazine, Modern Healthcare and McKnight's. Prior to that, he wrote about village government and local business for his hometown newspaper in Oak Park, Illinois. He won a Peter Lisagor and Gold EXCEL awards in 2017 for his coverage of the opioid epidemic.