In the next decade, the United States faces a shortage of approximately 40,000 primary care physicians, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians.  In 2013, the new Congress is expected to consider one strategy to help address this growing problem.

Last year, Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.) introduced the Physician Reentry Demonstration Program Act, which focuses on bringing retired physicians back into active practice.  In his bill, Sarbanes proposed launching a demonstration project under the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services to see how well this concept would work at hospitals and other healthcare organizations.

Under Sarbanes’ bill, these older physicians would need to undergo the usual credentialing procedures. If the demonstration project were to be enacted, evidence-based assessments and evaluation tools would be used to measure core competencies, in accordance with the guidelines of the Federation of State Medical Boards.

For physicians, one of the intriguing aspects of Sarbanes’ bill is that it provides greater flexibility for physicians to make their own career decisions.  For instance, a doctor who has left a full-time clinical practice might enjoy practicing on a part-time basis, or taking advantage of flexible scheduling to take on a series of temporary positions.

Because aging Baby Boomers will require more healthcare services each year, the need for more primary care and specialized physicians will continue to rise for at least 15 more years. Therefore, the clock is ticking in terms of finding effective solutions to the shortage.

Other options include increasing the size of the nation’s medical schools, bringing in more foreign physicians or using physician assistants and nurse practitioners to handle more routine patient cases.   In any case, U.S. healthcare organizations will need to exercise their ingenuity in finding sustainable solutions to this gap between demand and supply for physician services.

Throughout the country, healthcare organizations are turning to locum tenens physicians to meet their patient care requirements.  A recent report from Staffing Industry Analysts, forecasts the market for temporary physician staffing will increase about 7 percent this year and reach the $2.1 billion level.  All Medical Personnel’s dedicated locum tenens staffing team has seen a comparable increase in assignments during the first four months of 2012.

There are several forces driving the increased demand for locum tenens physicians, including a shortage of full-time medical professionals in a growing number of locations around the nation. While physician assistants, nurses and other “physician extenders” can pick up some of the burden of care, an M.D. or D.O. is still needed to supervise their work, diagnose complex conditions and prescribe the most appropriate treatment.

In 2012, the demand for locum tenens physicians would likely be even higher, if the U.S. economy were in a full-scale recovery mode. That’s because many potential patients, concerned about costs, are postponing doctor visits and elective surgery. In some cases they are also waiting for the Affordable Care Act’s access- and insurance-related provisions to kick in, although the U.S. Supreme Court is now considering the constitutional issues related to that 2010 act.

For clinics, community hospitals, and regional healthcare systems, locum tenens staffing provides a flexible approach to physician coverage. For instance, primary care physicians and specialists can be hired to meet a seasonal peak in demand during the summer months or used as “fill ins” for doctors who are taking their own vacations.  In any case, locum tenens staffing is expected to play a growing role in patient care for at least the remainder of the decade.

With the economy still in a slump, many hospitals, physician groups and community health centers with tight budgets for locum tenens staff have been less likely to accept candidates that require travel and housing accommodations.  Although, when the provider pool is depleted because healthcare professionals are in such high demand, facilities often have to consider out of state providers.  Keeping a physician or other revenue-generating provider on staff means keeping money coming in the door and the patient base served.  Locum tenens providers are a viable solution for coverage while perm recruiting, to cover medical leaves, and for short term coverage such as holidays and vacations.

One way that All Medical helps our clients stay on budget is by offering travel and lodging at discounted rates. All Medical partners with several nationwide vendors that provide volume discounts to All Medical on rental cars, corporate apartments, and extended stay hotels.  All travel and housing discounts are passed through to the client; we do not mark up or add travel fees on the client bill.  Coordinating provider travel and lodging is a free service we offer to all of our clients and providers.  Getting a provider from CA to NY can be more seamless than you might think! 

We have a team of coordinators dedicated to researching the best options for each individual locum tenens assignment.  Suitable accommodations for the provider and reasonable rates for the client; that is our goal and just one part of our service to you.

All Medical has been a trusted resource for healthcare staffing for over 20 years.  All Medical provides coverage for all physician specialties, nurse practitioners (NP) and physician assistants (PA).

Please contact Kristen Dorton for more information on how All Medical can provide you with cost effective locum tenens solutions.
877-267-5628 (ext. 3189)
214-431-3189 (direct)

If you’re looking at job opportunities in healthcare, consider a career in nursing.  A number of studies point to a potential shortage over the next decade as aging Baby Boomers require more medical care.  In addition, the passage of healthcare reform last year - the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in 2010 - will provide more than 32 million Americans with greater access to healthcare services.

A recent report on “The Future of Nursing,” prepared by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for the Institute of Medicine called for an 80 percent increase in the number of nurses with bachelor’s degrees.  Another group looking for solutions to the projected shortage of Registered Nurses (RNs) is the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), which is working with schools, government leaders and healthcare organizations to increase college enrollment.

Clearly, hospitals, clinics, physician groups and other healthcare organizations will be seeking nurses at every level of training and education.  Many newcomers to the field begin with a two-year licensed practical nurse (LPN) degree, and then go on to become and RN or earn a graduate degree. 

In any case, nursing can offer a rewarding people-oriented career with flexible scheduling to meet almost any lifestyle.  There are many different specializations within nursing, from pediatrics to geriatric care, with opportunities to grow and take on new assignments.  If you are ready to begin a career in nursing - or if you’re looking for a new role - All Medical Personnel can help you take that next step.  Contact our nationwide recruiting team for more information.