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Locum 101: Doctors find renewed vigor from volunteering

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You're driven to care for others. A passion to help and heal is what drives you to practice in a difficult and challenging field. For some doctors, volunteerism is a rewarding way to avoid burnout and put clinical skills to use outside the workplace constraints of the hospital.

You can cross the world, but you don't have to

When most people think about physicians and volunteering, programs like Doctors Without Borders or Health Volunteers Overseas come to mind. These are fantastic programs that provide wonderful opportunities for physicians and invaluable services to the countries they visit.

Still, volunteer opportunities close to home can be equally rewarding. As Rupa Narra, M.D., a board-certified pediatrician, said in an interview with MD News, "Volunteer in your community and look into other outreach opportunities to gain the unparalleled fulfillment that could change your life in ways you couldn't imagine."

Finding the right opportunity

Searching for the right cause, free clinic or nonprofit to partner with may be an adventure all its own. Luckily, there are online tools available to help interested volunteers find opportunities to put their valuable skills to use.

  1. American Medical Association – You're familiar with the AMA as a resource for publication, advocacy information and continuing education opportunities. However, the AMA also hosts resources for doctors seeking volunteer opportunities.
  2. JAMA – Also an AMA resource, JAMA maintains a listing of organizations seeking volunteers with various medical specialties. It's worth noting that the AMA does not endorse these programs, so research the cause and organization to see if the fit is right for you.
  3. VolunteerMatch.org – Not all volunteer resources are specific to medical care providers. Online pairing services like VolunteerMatch.org provide filters to search for opportunities by city and service type.

Volunteering is a personal choice and not an obligation. However, if you find yourself wanting to recharge your batteries, consider giving time and service to a cause you support.