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Temporary primary care physicians in demand

September 16, 2009

Primary care physicians lead the list of medical providers sought to fill openings on a temporary basis, according to a new survey from Staff Care, a nationwide temporary physician staffing firm and an AMN Healthcare company.

The survey indicates that more than 70% of healthcare facilities have used locum tenens in the last 12 months. Of those surveyed by Staff Care, 43% are seeking temporary primary care physicians, more than twice the number seeking any other type of doctor or other healthcare professional.

Additionally, anesthesia providers also are in demand for temporary appointments, the survey indicates. Twenty percent of healthcare facilities are seeking locum tenens anesthesiologists or other anesthesia providers, while 16% are seeking mental health specialists, 11% are looking for radiologists, 8% are seeking surgeons and more than 2% are seeking dentists.

Sixty-three percent of facilities surveyed indicated that they use at least one locum tenens physician in a typical month, while 43% said they use at least four locum tenens physicians in a typical month.

In addition to responses from hospitals and medical groups, Staff Care's "2009 Survey of Temporary Physician Staffing Trends," includes responses from over 750 physicians who work on a locum tenens basis. Physicians surveyed rated "freedom and flexibility" as the main benefit of working as a locum tenens, followed by "lack of medical politics," "travel," "pay rate," "professional development," and a "way to find a permanent job."