Physician burnout has been a hot topic in the healthcare industry lately, but it isn’t breaking news for physicians and advanced practice providers—it’s a daily reality.
Heavy patient loads, high-stakes decisions, and long hours add up, and sooner or later, something must give.
The good news? Locum tenens offers a compelling alternative. By choosing when, where, and how much they work, providers can take back control of their careers and, more importantly, rediscover their passion for medicine.
But let’s be real: staffing agencies can do more than just connect providers with jobs. They can be true allies in the fight against burnout, offering support and solutions that make a difference.
So, how can locum tenens agencies step up? Let’s talk about it.
Burnout Prevention Starts Before Day One
When a provider reaches out to a locum tenens agency, they’ve already made a big step to take control of their career. But that doesn’t mean agencies can just match them with a hospital and pat themselves on the back for a job well done.
Instead, real support starts before day one. When providers feel valued, informed, and fully prepared before starting their next assignment, they’re more likely to step into it with confidence and thrive.
Fortunately, locum tenens staffing agencies are in the perfect position to champion provider well-being from the start. By weaving self-care and wellness initiatives into the onboarding process, they can help ensure every assignment feels like a fresh start. Here’s how they can make that happen:
- Self-care kits: A little goes a long way. Personalized welcome kits with stress balls, aromatherapy sprays, or guides to agency-sponsored mental health resources can send a clear message: We see you, and we care.
- Mindfulness subscriptions: Burnout prevention starts with the right tools. Partnering with platforms like Talkspace or Headspace to offer free or discounted mental health resources gives providers instant access to stress-management support.
- Wellness consultants: Fancy title, simple concept: a friendly, unbiased sounding board. Agencies can connect providers with wellness consultants through an external company or HR team to conduct regular check-ins, assess stress levels, and offer strategies to prevent burnout. More support means stronger provider relationships and better retention.
Onboarding shouldn’t just be a box to check. These strategies turn it into a relationship-building moment that proves an agency is invested in more than just filling shifts.
Locum tenens staffing agencies are in the perfect position to champion provider well-being from the start. By weaving self-care and wellness initiatives into the onboarding process, they can help ensure every assignment feels like a fresh start.
Flexibility That Fits
Locum tenens is all about flexibility; that’s why it’s such a great option for burned-out providers. But real flexibility goes beyond just picking a location. To help providers avoid burnout, agencies can take a more customized approach and shape assignments around their availability, career goals, and lifestyle. Here’s how to make that happen:
- Know what providers want: A one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t cut it. Agencies can use provider surveys (via tools like SurveyMonkey or Typeform) to uncover preferences, from shift schedules and facility culture to outdoor recreation and family-friendly accommodations. The more they know, the better they can match.
- Inform providers about their options: Most providers new to locums don’t know just how much control they have over their schedules. Do they know they can work long shifts just a few days a week or set up a one-week-on, one-week-off arrangement? Having control over when and how you work is one of the best ways locum tenens combats burnout, but many providers don’t know all their options. It’s up to staffing agencies to make sure they do.
- Short-term assignments: Not every provider is ready to dive into long-term locums. Bite-sized contracts, just a few days at a time, let them test the waters, stay clinically active, and determine if locum life is the right fit for them.
A personalized, data-driven approach turns locum tenens from a temporary gig into a sustainable career move that keeps providers engaged, happy, and burnout-free while ensuring facilities stay staffed.
A personalized, data-driven approach turns locum tenens from a temporary gig into a sustainable career move that keeps providers engaged, happy, and burnout-free while ensuring facilities stay staffed.
Show Providers You Appreciate Them
Burnout doesn’t happen overnight; it builds up over time. And while structural changes matter, even the smallest gesture can go a long way. Think about the last time someone sent you a genuine thank-you note, an unexpected email of appreciation, or even a quick text acknowledging your hard work. It felt good, right?
Studies show that employees (and locum tenens providers, to be sure) stick around longer when they feel valued. Gratitude isn’t just nice; it’s a powerful tool for building trust, strengthening communication, and making it easier for providers to speak up when they’re struggling. Showing appreciation doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s how agencies can step up:
- Write personalized thank-you notes: A handwritten note can go a long way. Set a bimonthly or quarterly schedule for locum tenens recruiters to send customized messages to both new and long-term providers. Add a small touch, like a coffee gift card or their favorite snack, to make it even more meaningful.
- Celebrate milestones: Recognize major achievements, like a provider’s 10th, 20th, or even 50th assignment with your agency. These numbers aren’t just stats; they represent dedication to patients, facilities, and your firm. Celebrate them with thoughtful gestures like bonuses, high-quality gear they’ll actually use, or even a featured spotlight on your website.
- Don’t forget National Doctors’ Day & Locum Tenens Week! Take the opportunity to show gratitude with personalized messages, gifts, or even social media shoutouts.
When locums agencies prioritize recognition and follow through consistently, they build stronger relationships, boost provider satisfaction, and increase long-term retention. A little effort can pay off in a big way.
Burnout doesn’t happen overnight; it builds up over time. And while structural changes matter, even the smallest gesture can go a long way. Think about the last time someone sent you a genuine thank-you note, an unexpected email of appreciation, or even a quick text acknowledging your hard work. It felt good, right?
Build a Supportive Community
Locum tenens providers are always on the move, but that doesn’t mean they have to go it alone. Agencies can create real connections and a sense of belonging with simple but impactful efforts like these:
- Peer meetups: Host virtual or in-person gatherings where locums can swap stories, vent about challenges, and share wins with people who get it. A little camaraderie goes a long way in making the locum life feel less like a solo journey.
- Mentorship programs: Pair seasoned locums with newcomers to help them navigate the transition. There’s nothing like advice from someone who’s been in your shoes.
- Create social groups: Locums are already turning to Reddit and Facebook for advice, job leads, and a little comic relief. Why not make it official? Agencies can curate online spaces where providers swap tips, share memes, and build a real support network.
These are just a few ways to foster connection, but the bottom line is simple: Locum tenens providers aren’t just filling shifts, they’re delivering essential care to communities that need it. By creating a strong, supportive community, agencies can remind providers that they’re part of something bigger.
Advocate for Providers and a Healthier Healthcare System
Locum tenens agencies are in a unique position to fight provider burnout. As part of a multi-billion-dollar staffing industry, they have insider knowledge of provider struggles and direct access to firsthand stories from clinicians and healthcare facilities nationwide. With that level of influence, agencies can push for real change.
One of the best ways to make an impact is through advocacy. Locum tenens agencies can step up by lobbying politicians and healthcare leaders to tackle the root causes of burnout. Organizations like NALTO provide easy-to-use templates for contacting elected officials, or agencies can take their own approach and go straight to the source.
Meaningful reform doesn’t happen overnight, but advocacy sends a clear message: We’re not just here to fill shifts—we’re here to fight for a better healthcare system. By actively driving change, agencies can improve conditions for locum providers and the entire healthcare workforce, ensuring a healthier future for everyone.
Locum tenens agencies are in a unique position to fight provider burnout. As part of a multi-billion-dollar staffing industry, they have insider knowledge of provider struggles and direct access to firsthand stories from clinicians and healthcare facilities nationwide. With that level of influence, agencies can push for real change.
Mental Health Resources for Locum Providers
Even with the best support systems in place, healthcare takes a mental toll. The importance of the work is what makes it rewarding, but when the stakes are so high, many providers will eventually experience unbearable stress. While agencies can’t solve every challenge, they can ensure their providers have access to the mental health resources they need.
By connecting locums with mental health specialists and sharing the right resources, agencies can play a crucial role in supporting provider well-being. Here are a few ways to make that happen:
- Hotlines: Share essential crisis contacts, such as the Physician Support Line (1-888-409-0141) or the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
- The Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation: Direct providers to the many resources available through the Lorna Breen Foundation.
- Burnout resilience training: Highlight workshops like The Happy MD or AMA’s Steps Forward program to arm providers with coping strategies.
- Peer support networks: Create forums or communities where locums can connect, share experiences, and offer advice.
Empower Providers, Improve Patient Care
There’s no quick fix for burnout, but those in the staffing industry have the power to make a difference. Locum tenens agencies have a direct line to providers, strong relationships with healthcare facilities, and enough influence to push for meaningful policy change.
It’s time to move beyond just filling shifts. True partnership means advocating for providers, offering genuine support, and ensuring they have the tools to thrive. When physicians and clinicians feel valued, the entire healthcare system benefits.
