Executive Vice President of Consilium, Matt Baade
When I started my locums career more than twenty years ago, locum tenens was roughly a $1 billion dollar business. Today, healthcare facilities invest nearly $8 billion in locum services. The trust found in locum providers couldn’t come at a better time, as the healthcare industry explores solutions to the physician shortage exacerbated by an aging population, an aging (and retiring) physician population, and other factors.
We surveyed providers and facilities to find 2024 trends in healthcare and locum tenens. I hope you find our report enlightening and helpful as you plan for next year. We’re proud of the work we do serving healthcare facilities and providers across the United States. We’re here to help you with your next placement or need.
Thank you for trusting us as your Partner in Locum Tenens.
What do healthcare administrators say about locum tenens?
Consilium surveyed 15,000 healthcare administrators responsible for staffing across the U.S. The data collected provided insight to the fabric of the healthcare industry in such areas as how facilities are combating staffing shortages, what medical specialties are being sourced through staffing agencies, the future projections of locum tenens use, and more.
Location of Facilities Using Locums
We looked at where facilities that use locums are located and found that almost half of our respondents are in metropolitan areas, 34% are rural locations, and 20% are in suburban areas.
Consilium helps find locums for all types of healthcare settings and locations, including the most remote facilities in the U.S. We pre-qualify the candidates we present, so we only send available and interested candidates that are pre-vetted by our team. We have a proven track record of making the right matches, no matter where facilities are located or what specialty is needed.
There’s a physician shortage in the United States that will not be solved anytime soon – for a variety of complex reasons. We especially see shortages in geographically isolated places. Consilium has a proven track record of sending well-qualified, talented physicians and other providers to locations all over the country to fill those vacancies.
Landon Webb
Divisional Vice President, Consilium
Top Factors for Facilities When Selecting an Agency
“Communication” ranked highest as the top factor that facilities considered when choosing a locum tenens agency. “Relationship” came in second. When a facility knows that the agency understands their specific needs and can provide solutions quickly, they are more likely to continue their relationship with the agency.
Take a look at what the other top answers were. As you can see, the size of the agency was less important than the quality of communication and the agency/facility relationship.
We work with Consilium because they meet our needs quickly, their credentialing department is great, and they don’t try to convince us to hire specialists we don’t need.
Leslie M.
CEO, Community Health Center
Benefits of Using Locum Tenens
Let’s take a look at what administrators reported as their top benefits of using locum tenens alongside their permanent full-time staff.
First? The continuity of care for patients. When a facility is short staffed, patients experience longer wait times. Having locums coverage means patients can be cared for – which leads to the second reported benefit: the prevention of patient migration.
The third reported benefit was increased revenue. Locum tenens can help facilities avoid overtime costs by filling shifts when needed, which can also improve revenue.
The fourth benefit reported was the quick availability of locums staff to cover shifts when the facility is in a pinch. When a facility has an unusually high volume of patients or are short-staffed, locums can step in on short notice.
The final top benefit reported was the ability to try a candidate and evaluate their performance before offering permanent employment.
What is the Average Length of a Locum Position Within Your Organization?
A facility may need locums for a variety of reasons: 1. Vacation, holiday, maternity, or medical leave coverage. 2. To prevent burnout. 3. To expand services. 4. To hire a physician after trying them out for a short period of time.
We asked facilities to tell us the average length of a locum position within their organization. 37% reported 6 months or longer, and 29% reported less than a month. The benefit of locum tenens is that no matter the time frame, Consilium can match a provider and a facility to meet the needs at hand.
Whether we have someone planning maternity leave or we have too many people planning to be out at the same time – Consilium finds us great doctors and CRNAs to cover any length of time. Whether I need one shift covered or a whole year, they’ve got really qualified, great people ready to go.
Chanel F.
Staffing Manager, Ambulatory Surgery Center
How Do You Expect Your Usage of Locum Tenens to Change in the Next 12 Months?
“The use of locums continues to rise as the population ages. There are fewer candidates in medical school. There just aren’t enough medical personnel to fill the needs throughout the U.S.
“That said, more facilities are hiring locums. Hiring locums reduces physician burnout, keeps patients cared for, offers a flexible solution to facility operations, and greatly helps with revenue generation versus loss.
“We’re proud to help the facilities we serve.”
What do Providers say about Working locum tenens?
We surveyed more than 4,000 healthcare providers nationwide to gather insights into the dynamics of working locum tenens. Locums professionals reported that with working locum tenens, they enjoy “more flexibility, better pay, control over their schedules, diversity of practice,” and “avoiding the office politics of working full time positions.” Locums as a work model is so popular, many physicians and CRNAs work locums full time.
“We find that every year, not only do more healthcare facilities turn to locums to fill staffing gaps, but more physicians are working locums, because of the benefits they enjoy – regardless of what stage they’re in in their careers. From expanding their clinical experience to traveling the country, or adding shifts while in retirement.”
Why Do You Choose to Work Locum Tenens Instead of a More Traditional Practice Model?
What Factors Are Most Important in Choosing a Locum Tenens Agency?
When we asked this question, “pay” was at the top of the list. In fact, 66% of respondents voted “pay” as their first reason. Second was the relationship between the provider and their recruiter. Next was “opportunity,” and coming in 4th was geographic area. Because locums positions are open across the United States, providers are able to explore different parts of the country and work in a variety of clinical settings.
One provider who works with Consilium wrote, “I’m a few years out of my residency. I have medical school debt to pay off, but I’m not sure where I want to settle, or what type of hospital I want to work in. Working locums helps me pay down my debt while I gain experience in different clinical settings, and see parts of the country.”
I have a recruiter at Consilium that I work with who understands where I am in my career– and brings me the best opportunities.
Hayden W.
Cardiologist
“We find that working as a locum tenens is attractive to providers across all career stages. Those right out of residency who may not have decided where they want to settle enjoy traveling and practicing in different settings.
“Those mid-career enjoy the scheduling flexibility. We have providers who report that working locums enables them to spend more time with their families, for example.
“And those in retirement pick up shifts to keep themselves active in medicine and to supplement their finances.
“The benefits of working locums can apply to all career stages.”
When Did You First Start Working as a Locum?
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