Show Me the Money: Hospitals, Staffing Agencies Recruit Physicians Like Athletes
9/27/2023
A recent survey published Sept. 20 by AMN Healthcare’s physician solutions division, formerly Merritt Hawkins, reveals a significant trend among new physician recruitment and the challenge it creates for staffing agencies who want to rise to the top in a competitive market.
The survey revealed residents in their final year are often overwhelmed by job offers, with more than half of all residents (56%) stating they received 100 or more solicitations during their training.
The surge in recruitment has that slight resemblance you see in NFL squads, college coaches, or agents waving all kinds of lucrative offers in front of top athletes in hopes of grabbing their attention and winning their contracts. But it also underscores the growing demand for physicians and the dire situation of the healthcare industry with its shortage of healthcare providers.
However, despite the abundance of offers, the survey also said 30% of residents still had regrets about choosing medicine as a career, citing the familiar feelings of burnout similar to what other, more experienced physicians are claiming.
The survey also sheds light on the preferences of newly-trained physicians, indicating that the majority prefer employment over independent private practice, with 68% listing hospital employment as one of their top two choices for a practice setting. This shift away from solo practices shows the changing dynamics of the healthcare field, with financial uncertainty and the time demands of private practice becoming less appealing to new doctors.
Rural communities are also in a bad spot, according to the new survey, with a fraction of residents expressing a preference for practicing in smaller communities. You can delve deeper into these insights in the full Article from Becker’s Hospital Review or read the report from AMN.
La Vida Locum
The Strategic Role of Locum Tenens in Modern Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities
9/22/2023
The demand for locum tenens physicians and advanced practice providers in healthcare is rising, with hospitals increasingly relying on them to maintain consistent coverage and continuity of care.
The increase in locums is a trend that’s driven by the projected shortage of up to 124,000 physicians by 2034. There’s a 2.5x disparity between healthcare job openings and hires. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 24,200 jobs for physicians and surgeons could open annually over the next decade.
Physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and nurse anesthetists are among the healthcare providers facing the highest employment projections over the next decade, with specialties like internal medicine, family medicine, surgeons, and emergency medicine in high demand.
Using locum tenens professionals offers several benefits to hospitals:
- It can help hospitals regain unclaimed revenue by increasing the volume of revenue-generating procedures, especially during peak patient volumes.
- It provides cost-effective staffing solutions as locum tenens providers require no long-term commitments, reducing the need for benefits and retirement plans.
- Incorporating locum tenens enhances staff retention and reduces burnout among permanent providers, offering them the opportunity for much-needed time off.
Locum tenens professionals also serve as a bridge in addressing staffing gaps and ensuring stability in healthcare settings. As healthcare evolves, these flexible providers become indispensable in maintaining high-quality care and hospital operations.
To learn more, read the full article from Medicus Healthcare Solutions for insights into the evolving role of locum tenens in healthcare.
10 States Paying The Most For Locum Tenens Providers
9/25/2023
A recent article from locumstory on locum tenens compensation explored the top-paying states for healthcare professionals considering temporary assignments.
Here’s the list of the top 10 highest-paying states — plus Washington D.C.— for locum tenens, and the factors contributing to the higher pay rates.
1. District of Columbia: Offering 130% above the national median, DC takes the lead due to severe physician shortages and significant investments in healthcare infrastructure.
2. West Virginia: Compensating locum tenens physicians at 128% of the national median, West Virginia faces workforce shortages, making locum professionals vital.
3. Mississippi: At 127% of the median, Mississippi grapples with healthcare shortage rates well above the national average, particularly regarding physicians.
4. Colorado: Colorado’s dire physician shortage drives its average locum tenens compensation to 124% of the national median.
5. Delaware: Climbing five spots from the previous year, Delaware now offers 122% of the national median to address its healthcare workforce challenges.
6. South Dakota: With vast swaths of rural areas lacking medical services, South Dakota compensates locum tenens providers at 120% of the national median.
7. Missouri: Missouri’s physician shortage contributes to its above-average locum tenens compensation rate, 118% of the median pay.
8. Kansas: Like many others, Kansas faces a severe physician shortage and offers locum tenens providers 118% of the national average pay.
9. Vermont: Despite a higher physician-to-population ratio, Vermont offers 117% of the national median, given its critical shortage of primary care physicians.
10. Montana: Joining the top-paying states, Montana pays 117% of the median due to its vast rural areas, aging population, and physician workforce challenges.
These states face unique healthcare access issues and offer competitive pay to attract locum tenens providers. But the assignments don’t just boost income for providers. They also address critical healthcare needs in underserved areas. For more detailed insights and a full breakdown of percentages for each state, check out the full article from locumstory.
Locum Leaders
NALTO Announces 2024 Annual Convention in Charlotte, NC
10/2/2023
Last week, the National Association of Locum Tenens Organizations (NALTO) announced its plans to host the annual NALTO/National Association of Physician Recruiters (NAPR) Convention.
Next year’s NALTO/NAPR convention will be in Charlotte, North Carolina, at the La Meridien Hotel in downtown Charlotte. The convention will be held March 6-8, 2024. More registration information will be available soon, but you can mark the date in your calendar for now.
The NALTO event announcement is coming off the heels of record-breaking attendance at NALTO’s annual Fall Fly-In, where more than 180 locum tenens industry leaders met in Park City, Utah, for a two-day conference highlighting the challenges facing the locums industry and how to address them best.
SIA: Nurse Staffing Craters While Locums Keeps Growing
9/22/2023
The latest US Staffing Industry Pulse Survey Report, released by Staffing Industry Analysts, revealed concerning trends for segments of the healthcare staffing industry. In the second and third quarters of 2023, 38% of staffing firms have had to lay off internal staff, hinting at challenges ahead. However, locums saw a notable 10% growth “at the median,” a strong indication of further growth ahead, as SIA previously predicted for 2024.
The report highlighted a decline in monthly staffing agency revenue, with a median 7% year-over-year drop in August among participating firms. Travel nursing and per diem nursing were particularly affected, experiencing significant declines of 22% and 15%, respectively.
To better understand the report’s insights and implications, SIA companies and SIA corporate members can access the complete US Staffing Industry Pulse Survey Report. Learn more in the article from SIA.
Hire Power
Learning Effective Means of Communication With Current and New Clients
9/26/2023
An upcoming Butler Street and NALTO Webinar scheduled for Oct. 18 will show healthcare professionals in locum tenens ways they can make better connections and improve relationships with clients. Led by Butler Street’s Robert Reid, this session will offer practical takeaways for professionals looking to enhance their business interactions.
The session’s highlights include:
1. Understanding Behavioral Styles: Attendees will delve into the intricacies of behavioral tendencies, enabling them to discover ways to develop effective communication.
2. Determining the Best Communication Style: Reid will provide actionable guidance on tailoring communication approaches to align with different behavioral styles, fostering better connections and collaborations within the locum tenens setting.
3. Tips for Building Trust and Enhancing Relationships: Learn strategies that can help build trust, increase engagement, and improve relationships with colleagues and team members, which creates a positive company culture.
Visit this link to learn more about the upcoming webinar and register to attend.
Making the Rounds
New Data Shows Uptick in ER Wait Times Across the US
9/26/2023
The latest data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) revealed a concerning trend for healthcare professionals: Americans who need urgent care from an Emergency room (ER) are seeing an increase in wait times in the United States. According to the CMS, the median time patients spent in ERs averaged 2 hours and 40 minutes over the past year, up from 2 hours and 35 minutes in 2021.
This upward trend in wait times signals potential issues with hospital staffing and resources, leading to delays in treatment and an unpleasant environment for patients. Notably, Washington, D.C., had the longest median ER stay times in 2022, at 5 hours and 29 minutes. Maryland, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts followed closely behind, while North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska reported the lowest median ER times.
This uptick in ER visit durations aligns with a broader staffing crisis affecting the healthcare industry. Many patients seek alternatives such as urgent care and retail health clinics in response to these prolonged ER wait times.
For more details on this issue, refer to the full article from Axios.
A Guide To Help Improve The Way You Recruit APPs
9/26/2023
Vivian Health, an online marketplace for clinical talent, recently introduced a new guide to improve the recruitment of advanced practice providers (APPs).
The new guide, “Leading the Way for APP Recruitment,” covers how agencies can identify the “5 Whys of Root Cause Analysis” and how it can help identify gaps in your recruitment process. It also covers strategies to help recruiters:
- Reduce time to hire
- Switch from manual to digital processes
- Adopt tools that will simplify communication
Check out the link to learn more about Vivan Health and learn how to sign up for the guide.
Second Opinion
The Impact A Government Shutdown Could Have on Healthcare Coverage in the US
9/28/2023
A government shutdown was averted late Sunday after Congress passed a stopgap measure ahead of the midnight deadline. But what would’ve happened if the government had shut down and disrupted federal health services and agencies?
Essential Work Would Continue But There Would Be Interruptions
During a shutdown, essential health work continues, such as responding to health emergencies, drug recalls, and foodborne illness outbreaks. However, local health departments could face challenges due to uncertain budgets, potentially impacting their ability to hire new staff. Community health centers rely on federal funding for services like checkups and would experience varying degrees of disruption depending on their financial reserves.
COVID vaccines, funded through the CDC’s Bridge Access Program would remain available, but staffing shortages at some health centers would affect vaccine administration. Additionally, routine inspections of drinking water facilities, hazardous waste sites, and low-risk foods would have been paused.
Healthcare Payments Continue, But No Applications Could Be On Hold
Medicare and Medicaid payments continue in a government shutdown, but new program applications and reviews may get put on hold. Social Security and Medicare recipients still receive benefits, but administrative tasks like card replacements can be delayed. Despite the shutdown, Medicare enrollment and hotline services would proceed as scheduled.
You can read more about the effects a shutdown would have had in the full article from Verywell Health.
AI-Driven Efficiencies: Transforming Healthcare for Better Outcomes
9/21/2023
Healthcare IT leaders are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence (AI) for solutions to their data management challenges. Currently, more than 30% of the world’s data is generated by health systems, and because of this, manual data management is no longer feasible, especially within limited budgets.
AI can streamline data analysis, categorization, and archiving, making data management far more manageable for IT staff. This technology would also help healthcare providers and administrators access and leverage data more efficiently, impacting patient care quality.
The efficiency gained through AI-driven data management could improve patient outcomes in several ways:
- AI tools can synthesize patient records, providing relevant information to nurses and physicians.
- AI tools reduce administrative burdens and reduce burnout for healthcare providers.
- AI allows for identifying patterns in patient data, leading to future discoveries and improvements in patient treatment plans.
To implement AI-driven data management, health IT leaders need first to evaluate their organization’s current data practices. Transfer data to the cloud for easier access and integrate AI with existing data management methods to eliminate redundant data and analyze what information should remain readily available.
For more details and insights on how AI can transform healthcare data management, read the full article on Healthcare IT News.
Physicians Urge Congress To Address Healthcare’s Most Pressing Issue
9/25/2023
The pressure from the last few years affected all corners of the healthcare industry, but none more than the physician workforce. Healthcare workers face unprecedented challenges, including physician burnout, staffing shortages, financial constraints, administrative burdens, and two recent Supreme Court decisions impacting diversity and medical representation.
Workforce challenges are compounded by the aging population and the departure of hundreds of thousands of healthcare professionals from the workforce in 2021.
In an article from STAT News, physicians who authored the report emphasized the urgent need for more physicians, especially in underserved communities.
The authors call for immediate action on several fronts, including addressing crippling medical student loan debt that discourages students from entering primary care and underrepresented groups from pursuing medical careers. They also advocated for legislation that provides student debt relief for physicians in high-need roles and support the Resident Education Deferred Interest Act. They also emphasized the importance of ensuring that physicians practice where needed most, expanding funding for programs like the National Health Service Corps and Teaching Health Centers, and supporting policies allowing foreign doctors to serve in underserved areas.
Learn more about how to become an advocate for healthcare policy in the full article from STAT News.
