Burnout is one of the leading causes of turnover among healthcare professionals. Consistently losing providers to burnout only drives up recruitment costs and disrupts continuity of care. But how can you support your staff while maintaining patient care?
Explore three ways you can use locum tenens to reduce physician burnout and strengthen healthcare organizations.
Physician Burnout Causing Career Changes for Doctors
Physician burnout is one of the top five reasons that doctors are changing their careers. Long hours, fewer coworkers, and increased patient volume all contribute to the strain physicians across the nation experience.
Extended Hours Causing Burnout
A 2023 study found that one Primary Care Provider (PCP) would need nearly 27 hours a day to provide adequate preventive care, chronic disease management, and acute care for adult patients.
The same report shows that, in a team-based care model, PCPs would need over nine hours each day to deliver guideline-recommended primary care. This impossible demand leaves physicians drained and unable to work at a level needed for quality care.
Understaffed Teams Causing Burnout
The physician shortage naturally affects healthcare organizations staffing strategies. With fewer doctors available to work, entire care teams are struggling to maintain high-quality care without enough people to care for them.
Increased Patient Volume
Even when teams are fully staffed, other factors like seasonal surges add to the workload. Maybe you had plenty of doctors for most of the year, but once flu season hits, your staff is overwhelmed.
Whether providers pursue private practice or start a locum tenens career, healthcare organizations will face additional shortages if burnout is ignored.
Locum Tenens Strengthens a Strained Workforce
Since the 1970s, healthcare facilities around the country have turned to locum tenens to manage staffing gaps. Explore three ways your facility can use locum tenens to strengthen your team.
Fill Staffing Gaps Quickly
Locum support gives full-time staff the breathing room to take time off, focus on continuing education, and return recharged. These healthcare professionals can work short-term contracts and work part-time or full-time based on your needs.
Relieve Overworked Staff
Whether you need holiday coverage or know flu season increases patient volume, adding temporary physicians enables you to manage the demand without overworking your existing staff. Your patients are seen sooner, your staff gets more time with their patients, and satisfaction overall improves.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, 88% of healthcare facilities turned to locum physicians to meet the surge in demand. This widespread success has positioned locums as a long-term staffing solution.
Access Specialized Expertise
Finally, working with locums actually gives your facility access to amazing, qualified providers outside of your regional talent pool. Providers presented through a locum tenens agency are thoroughly vetted to ensure they meet the necessary standards.
It’s Time to Strengthen Your Workforce.
Reducing burnout doesn’t just protect your staff. It protects your patients and your organization’s future. Locum tenens staffing makes that possible.
At Consilium, we’re proud to partner with healthcare facilities nationwide to reduce physician burnout and maintain uninterrupted patient care.
Our specialty-focused consultants take time to understand your unique staffing needs. Once you feel confident moving forward, our account managers will connect you with highly qualified physicians ready to make an impact.
Consilium specializes by both region and specialty. You’ll work with an expert consultant who understands the nuances of your area and your desired specialty.
When it comes to protecting your team from burnout, the best time to act is before the crisis hits. Contact your Consilium consultant today to strengthen your team.
