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There's a never-ending discussion in the medical community about work-life balance, and locum tenens may play a part in the solution.
The conversation has, at times, become quite polarized. Some doctors believe that medicine demands a commitment from practitioners that is above and beyond the hours required in other professions. The argument is a pragmatic one, stating that patient care is a necessary public service and that competition for limited med-school and residency slots should be reserved for doctors who will commit to a traditionally rigorous work schedule.
Life outside the practice
The conversation about work-life balance in medicine is changing, though. As more millennials enter the field, the discussion is turning to striking a different balance between workplace performance and satisfaction outside the hospital. In May 2013, the Association of American Medical Colleges wrote that millennials (when compared to previous generations) are more likely to trade income for control of their work schedule and lifestyle.
More recently, global research organization EY released a study on work-life balance for full-time workers in countries around the world. Doctors aren't the only ones looking to change things up. EY reports that work-life balance issues are increasingly likely to compel an employee to:
- Change jobs.
- Take a pass on professional advancement opportunities.
- Move to a country that offers benefits like parental leave.
Is there a role for locums?
Locum tenens doctors create an opportunity for hospitals and clinics seeking to support the work-life balance interests of full-time physicians. The ability to travel to far-flung assignments and accommodate a variety of work schedules can be a work-life reward in its own right for the locum. However, hospitals can also look to locums as a means of accommodating the interests of full-time doctors who might be at risk of burnout or have pressing needs outside the office.