2011 Hospitalist Locum Tenens Survey

Transcription

1 2011 Hospitalist Locum Tenens Survey

2 Introduction The past two decades have seen explosive growth in Hospital Medicine. A majority of US hospitals now have hospital medicine programs and the number of physicians practicing as Hospitalists has risen from ~7,000 in 2001 to an estimated 30,000 in 2010, according to the Society of Hospital Medicine. The growth in the specialty has, in turn, led to increased use of locum tenens hospitalists. Industry surveys that gauge demand for locum tenens by specialty show Hospital Medicine ranks number one as the most requested need. To learn more about the physicians filling the temporary staffing needs of our clients, Locum Leaders partnered with Today s Hospitalist magazine. At our request, the magazine inserted several questions specific to locum tenens in its 2011 career and compensation survey of the nation s hospitalists. The results offer a first-ever snapshot into the total size and motivations of the Hospitalist locum tenens workforce. As one of the nation s leading recruitment firms for Hospitalist locum tenens, we pride ourselves on our in-depth knowledge of the specialty. In sharing our data, we seek to add to the industry s body of knowledge regarding Hospitalist employment trends. Will Drescher, Chief Executive Officer Locum Leaders Hospital Medicine ranks number one as the most requested locum tenens need. 2

3 Survey Methodology The locum tenens data presented in this report are a subset of a larger, national survey of Hospitalists independently conducted in the summer of 2011 by Today s Hospitalist magazine. A total of 750 responses were sufficiently complete to be tabulated for the survey. The statistical confidence interval at a 95% level of confidence for this sample is +/-3.6%. Complete survey data will be published in the Today s Hospitalist Compensation & Career Guide in October and at Defining Locum Tenens From a latin phrase meaning to substitute or hold the place of, locum tenens is the industry term used to describe healthcare providers who take contracted, temporary positions at healthcare facilities. Hospitals, clinics and physician management groups typically use locum tenens providers to fill vacation or maternity leaves, open positions, or part-time positions. The analyst group, Staffing Industry Associates, estimates the recruitment and placement of locum tenens physicians as a $2B segment of the staffing industry. About Locum Leaders Locum Leaders is a one of the fastest growing locum tenens recruitment firms in the United States, and was the first to hire a Hospitalist Chief Medical Officer. The company specializes in consultative Hospital Medicine workforce solutions for Hospitals, Health Systems and Hospitalist Management Groups. In 2011 and 2010, the company was recognized as one of Atlanta s Best Places to Work by the Atlanta Business Chronicle and as a Blue Ribbon business of the year by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. For more information and to find locum tenens jobs, visit the company s website at info@locumleaders.com or call (877-LocumJobs). 3

4 Key Findings Ten percent of the nation s Hospitalists have worked as locum tenens within the past 12 months Of Hospitalists who work as locum tenens, 82% do so in addition to full-time, salaried employment 1 of Hospitalist locum tenens physicians work exclusively as locum tenens meaning they are self-employed Compensation is the primary motivator for Hospitalists who work as locum tenens, but other considerations, including flexibility and travel opportunities, are important influencers Analysis If you have a locum tenens Hospitalist making the rounds at your facility, chances are that physician has another full-time job elsewhere. It is common for locum tenens physicians to be drawn from the ranks of salaried doctors. But employed hospitalists, even more than other specialists, may be more inclined to take on locum work, according to Robert Harrington, MD, SFHM, Chief Medical Officer of Locum Leaders. Hospital Medicine shift patterns are the biggest reason, said Dr. Harrington. Since most hospitalist programs rely on a 7-on, 7-off schedule, you end up with a large population of doctors who have a lot of time-off. They want to use that time productively and often seek locum tenens work. 82% of Hospitalists who work as locum tenens do so in addition to salaried, fulltime employment. Financial goals clearly play a role in a hospitalist s choice to work as a locum tenens. Age may factor in as well. As a relatively new specialty, Hospital Medicine skews toward younger practitioners. Because younger doctors have a larger student debt burden, they may be more likely to seek supplemental income sources. Of the Hospitalists who had worked as a locum within the past year, 77% cited compensation as a primary motivation. There are lessons to draw from the survey for Hospitals that use locum tenens. Hiring managers should understand that the widest available pool of locum candidates is always one that includes full-time, employed physicians. Many hospitals seek to fill an open position with a full-time locum tenens, and that s just not always possible, said Dr. Harrington. But if you re willing to let an agency use two or three locum Hospitalists to divide up a month s worth of shifts, then that s a much easier way to ensure full coverage. Hospitalist programs should also be mindful of the percentage of their employed workforce seeking additional, temporary assignments. Program directors that understand and support physicians that wish to work as locum tenens may increase the satisfaction and retention of these physicians. 4

5 Survey Results Have you worked as a locum tenens physician within the past 12 months? (N=750) No Yes 10% 90% Responses below are from physicians who responded yes to working as a locum tenens within the past 12 months (N= 75) Which statement below best describes your employment status? I am employed full-time and work locum tenens I am a full-time locum tenens (self-employed) I am employed part-time and work locum tenens 7% 1 82% How many assignments have you worked within the past year? 1 I am employed full-time and work locum tenens 82% I am a full-time locum 2 tenens (selfemployed) 1 I am employed part-time and work locum tenens 7% or more Less than 1 month 1 to 4 months 26% 5 to 8 months 1 9 to 12 months Over 12 months 13% 4% 18% 30% 4% 9% 12% 23% What is your ideal locum tenens assignment length? Less than 1 month 1 to 4 months 5 to 8 months 9 to 12 months Over 12 months 1 13% 26% What are the benefits of working as a locum tenens (choose all that apply)? Compensation Freedom to choose when/where to work Flexibility Travel Exploring new career options Clinical experience Scale down from full-time practice More time for patient care Other 60% 4 37% 23% 12% 8% 77% 5

6 What are the drawbacks of working as a locum tenens (choose all that apply)? Time away from home / family Lack of benefits Uncertainty about assignments Lack of prestige Other 3% 32% 74% 50% of Hospitalist locum tenens work with only one agency. What factors do you consider when choosing a locum tenens assignment (choose all that apply)? Compensation Location 63% Schedule/Type of shift 42% Practice setting 34% Patient census 33% Length of opportunity 27% 85% How many locum tenens agencies have you worked for in the past 12 months? None % 22% 16% 50% 5 or more What factors influence your choice/preference for one agency over another (choose all that apply)? Compensation 75% Customer service 54% Location of jobs Reputation 36% Malpractice insurance 33% Expertise in hospital medicine Number of jobs None 16% 1 50% 2 22% 3 10% 4 5 or more 22% 19% 6