Growing number of locum tenens doctors strive for simpler life

A stable demand for physicians is creating a new breed of doctors who work only part-time, temporary assignments.

By Jay Greene, AMNews staff. Jan. 29, 2001.

For Mary Nguyen, MD, 38, working temporary assignments as an internist frees her from the grind of administrative paperwork and hassles of HMO care approval and payment denials. She loves the feeling of riding up on a white horse to a new assignment where she is really wanted.

For Dave DeVere, MD, 50, working as a locum tenens anesthesiologist enables him to take off three months a year to travel to places like Ireland, Germany and Alaska or to attend personal finance meetings. He also likes his family-friendly schedule and the control he has over job assignments and work environments.

For Robin Staebler, MD, 64, working part-time jobs as a family physician allows him to enjoy the pleasures of semiretirement along with the satisfaction he always feels when taking care of patients. He also likes the additional freedom he has to travel with his wife, relax with his ham radio hobby and visit grandchildren.

Although few data are gathered on part-time physicians, most experts believe their numbers are growing. One survey last year found 15% of all physicians worked locum tenens during their career compared with 4% in 1987, said Staff Care, an Irving, Texas-based locum tenens company.

"We are seeing more younger doctors and residents become locum tenens. It is not just for older or retired doctors anymore, although doctors ages 45 to 60 still represent the largest group," said Dustin Koger, Staff Care's vice president of operations. "Locum tenens doctors have more freedom to practice medicine than anyone today. It is a significant draw." [...]