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It's easy to get caught up in the rush and excitement of a locum tenens assignment in a new location. There are interesting people to meet, cultures to explore and beautiful places to see. Each locale offers its own, unique brand of adventure. And you'll most certainly want to dive in and capitalize on opportunities to try new things and learn new skills.
You can easily get swept away, but the folks back home will appreciate you checking in from time to time. Luckily, technology has made life easier for traveling doctors. With a little tech and a dash of preparation, you can stay connected and share more of your adventures while on assignment.
Don't forget your phone
The first and most obvious way to keep in touch is to bring your smart phone. QuickandDirtyTips.com has some advice on which apps to use for calls and texts. Also, be sure to talk to your service provider about coverage in your assignment area before you travel. Most major carriers have made improvements in services and options for out-of-country and overseas data plans.
So, yeah…definitely bring your phone. But if you need a little face-to-face time, here are three super useful video services to help you stay really connected.
- Skype – a mainstay and traditional favorite for video calls. Skype accounts are valuable because so many people already use the service. Calls are free between Skype users, but charges apply when calling cell phones or land lines.
- Tango – an increasingly popular and high-quality video app. Tango requires a 3G, 4G or wireless connection to make calls, but it's free and works from anywhere in the world.
- Google Hangouts – the big boy on the IT block, Google has its own video conferencing system. Similar to Skype, many people already have Google accounts. Hangouts are great for video calls with lots of people.