Nearly 15% of hospitalists surveyed in the Today’s Hospitalist 2012 Compensation & Career Survey said they worked as a locum tenens physician in the last 12 months, which is a 5% increase from the 2012 data. 
Of the hospitalists who work locum tenens, approximately 25% do so as their primary practice. The remaining 75% pick up extra shifts in addition to a permanent position. The percentage of fulltime hospitalist locums has increased since Today’s Hospitalist began asking its readers the question in 2011. In that year, 16% of respondents said they were fulltime locums. The fact that there are more full time locum tenens hospitalists speaks to the fact that they are in high demand. Hospitalists are among the most requested specialties we receive from clients who need coverage, so there is no shortage of opportunities available for those who want to make it their career. The high number of hospitalists who are taking locum tenens jobs to supplement their permanent position is likely due to the fact that 50% of hospitalists work a seven on/seven off schedule. This type of arrangement is favorable for picking up moonlighting or locum tenens shifts on off days. Here are some other interesting results from the survey:
Of the hospitalists who work locum tenens, approximately 25% do so as their primary practice. The remaining 75% pick up extra shifts in addition to a permanent position. The percentage of fulltime hospitalist locums has increased since Today’s Hospitalist began asking its readers the question in 2011. In that year, 16% of respondents said they were fulltime locums. The fact that there are more full time locum tenens hospitalists speaks to the fact that they are in high demand. Hospitalists are among the most requested specialties we receive from clients who need coverage, so there is no shortage of opportunities available for those who want to make it their career. The high number of hospitalists who are taking locum tenens jobs to supplement their permanent position is likely due to the fact that 50% of hospitalists work a seven on/seven off schedule. This type of arrangement is favorable for picking up moonlighting or locum tenens shifts on off days. Here are some other interesting results from the survey:
- The majority of respondents, 65%, said they are very or extremely satisfied with their career, a 7% increase over last year.
- Personal burnout is significant for two-thirds of adult hospitalists.
- Three in five hospitalists use a smartphone in clinical work. Nearly 20% use a tablet.
Head over to the Today’s Hospitalist website to view more results from the survey, which include questions related to compensation, scheduling, work environment, productivity, and career satisfaction.
