On one of my locum assignments as an emergency medicine physician, a kid came in with an epidural hematoma with midline shift. For a moment, I froze. But not for the reason you’d think. I wasn’t worried about the medicine. I’m a pediatric emergency physician. I’ve managed critically ill children […]
Recent Posts
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Starting a New Locum Tenens Assignment? The Skill Nobody Talks About
Alison Curfman | 10 April, 2026
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The Credential Checklist For Locum Tenens
What credentials do locum physicians need? Locum physicians typically need a valid state medical license, DEA registration, board certification, malpractice coverage, immunization records, and a complete work history. Hospitals may also require references, background checks, and facility-specific privileging documentation. Dr. Alison Curfman breaks down the locum tenens credentialing checklist every […]
Alison Curfman | 3 April, 2026
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Locum Tenens and Why I Chose It Over a Traditional Medical Career
When I left my full-time job as a pediatric emergency physician, most people assumed I was leaving medicine. My colleagues were confused. A few were worried. Some probably thought I was having some kind of professional crisis. But I wasn’t walking away from medicine. I was redesigning how I practiced […]
Alison Curfman | 27 March, 2026
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PA Salary 2026: A Guide to the Highest-Paid Specialties
Physician assistants (PAs) are an integral part of the healthcare system, providing many of the same services as physicians.
Barton Team | 26 March, 2026
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The History of CRNAs: How Nurse Anesthetists Reshaped Modern Medicine
For most of human history, surgery brought out tremendous pain. Before anesthesia, patients were often restrained while surgeons worked as quickly as possible. The speed of the surgeon mattered as much as their skill. Operations that might take hours today were compressed into minutes simply because the human body could […]
Barton Team | 23 March, 2026
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Primary Care Shortage: One in Three Americans Lives in a Healthcare Desert
In more than 80 percent of U.S. counties, access to essential healthcare services is limited. According to research from GoodRx, more than 120 million Americans, roughly one in three people, live in a healthcare desert. These are communities where access to primary care, pharmacies, hospital beds, or trauma services is […]
Barton Team | 16 March, 2026
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Tax Deductions for Healthcare Professionals: The Complete 1099 Guide
Long-Term Wealth Management for Doctors and Clinicians 1099 healthcare professionals often pay more in taxes than W-2 employees. The difference is simple: independent clinicians cover the full employer and employee portion of payroll taxes. The upside is control. With the right structure, retirement design, deductions, and entity strategy you can […]
Barton Team | 10 March, 2026
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Health Literacy in Locum Tenens: How Clear Communication Builds Patient Trust
Health literacy in healthcare is often framed as a patient problem. Infectious disease physician Dr. Lisa Fitzpatrick sees it differently. In her view, the responsibility sits squarely with clinicians. For locum tenens physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician associates practicing in temporary settings, plain language and intentional communication may be the […]
Barton Team | 2 March, 2026
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How Locums Helped Dr. Deborah Reclaim Medicine on Her Own Terms
Dr. Deborah didn’t set out for locum tenens to shape her career. At first, it was a practical way to gain experience and earn extra income through internal medicine weekend call shifts during her oncology fellowship. Years later, it would become something far more significant: a path to balance, a […]
Barton Team | 19 February, 2026
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Different Reasons Doctors Choose Locum Tenens
I didn’t start locums for the same reason I work locums jobs today. And honestly, that’s the whole point. When I first made the leap from full-time W-2 employment to locums, it was a strategic move. I was building a startup and needed to control my schedule. I couldn’t be […]
Alison Curfman | 13 February, 2026
