Welcome to a new edition of Locums Digest!
This issue is a little behind schedule again because we’ve been hard at work helping our marketing clients create worthy Locum Tenens Week campaigns celebrating their locum tenens physicians and APPs.
Now, when I was growing up reading comic books (ahem… I still do, but now we call them graphic novels), the 75th issue of a series was always a milestone issue that introduced a new big bad villain or debuted a new costume for the hero. While Locums Digest 75 is a big number for us, we’ll eschew the dog-and-pony show and get straight to the biggest news in locum tenens over the past few weeks.
Thanks for reading!
National Locum Tenens Week Returns Amid Record-Breaking Industry Growth
August 12, 2024 | NALTO, Locumpedia
NALTO’s annual National Locum Tenens Week event kicked off yesterday, and buzz within the industry has reached a fever pitch six weeks before what’s sure to be the most popular NALTO-only event ever when the Fall Fly-In lands in Austin, Texas, on September 24.
Late last week and yesterday, member agencies deployed dozens of Locum Tenens Week campaigns across the cybersphere to shower love on locum providers across America. As we do each year, Locumpedia will be here next week to spotlight the most memorable campaigns we witnessed.
In its annual Locum Tenens Week announcement last month, NALTO president and Fusion Healthcare Staffing CFO Jarin Dana noted, “Our member companies are dedicated to facilitating the placement of these talented providers, ensuring they are where they are needed most,” Dana continued. “We join in celebrating their hard work and commitment during this special week.”
NALTO President-elect Liz Hale and CEO of MPLT Healthcare added, “As we mark National Locum Tenens Week, we recognize the critical role of locum tenens providers in ensuring healthcare access, especially in rural and underserved communities.”
This year, Locumpedia had the honor of partnering with NALTO on a complete revamp of the Locum Tenens Week toolkit for member agencies, including the first website dedicated solely to the event. If you haven’t taken advantage of these resources to recognize your providers and elevate the industry’s profile, there’s still time. Visit locumtenensweek.org and join the celebration today.
And stay tuned for more exciting news about how Locumpedia is helping NALTO elevate its branding in the weeks ahead!
La Vida Locum
Explosive Growth in Otolaryngology: Trends, Market Insights, and Staffing Opportunities
June 20, 2024 | LocumTenens.com
Otolaryngology—aka ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat)—is one of the fastest-growing medical specialties in the US. The global ENT treatment market, valued at $21 billion in 2021, is projected to reach $34 billion by 2030. This growth is driven by a wide patient demographic, from common colds to esophageal abnormalities, reflecting ENT’s role in treating 20-50% of disorders seen in health facilities.
Contributing to the rise of ENT disorders are increased air and noise pollution, leading to more allergies and sinus issues, and an aging population resulting in more hearing loss and related cancers. Technological advancements in minimally invasive procedures have made ENT treatments more accessible and affordable. The global ENT devices market, valued at nearly $26 billion in 2023, is expected to grow to $38 billion by 2030.
The American Academy of Otolaryngology has established one to two new otolaryngology residency programs annually since 2017. The use of advanced practice providers in ENT is also increasing, with 75% of practices currently employing APPs and 17% planning to add at least one next year.
Medicus Compiles Comprehensive APRN Licensure Guide for Locum Tenens Practitioners
July 8, 2024 | Medicus Healthcare Solutions
Locum tenens careers offer advanced practice providers opportunities to improve work-life balance and expand their clinical experience. Providers can explore various healthcare settings and communities, customizing their schedules and assignments across multiple states or closer to home.
A key aspect of being a locum provider is understanding state-specific Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) licensure requirements. Medicus Healthcare Solutions has compiled a comprehensive list of every US nursing board and licensing authority, including contact information, average licensure timeframes, fees, and additional APRN license details.
Locum Leaders
Jackson Healthcare President Named ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’
June 24, 2024 | Jackson Healthcare
Jackson Healthcare President Shane Jackson has been recognized by Ernst & Young as the 2024 “Entrepreneur of the Year” in the Southeast region. This award honors leaders of high-growth companies who have significantly impacted their industries and communities.
Under Jackson’s leadership, Jackson Healthcare has grown into one of the nation’s largest privately-held companies and top healthcare staffing firms, focusing on improving patient care and the lives of those it serves. An independent panel of judges, including previous EY award winners and business leaders, selected Jackson based on his entrepreneurial spirit, purpose-driven leadership, and demonstrable growth and impact.
Jackson expressed his pride in the organization’s achievements and gratitude for the dedication of the company’s employees.
“When my father founded Jackson Healthcare nearly 25 years ago, his goal was to build a business that not only thrived but served the greater good,” he said. “I am incredibly proud of what our organization has achieved over the years and humbled by the dedication of the amazing professionals working across our family of companies.”
The Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, now in its 38th year, recognize various types of business leaders, including founders, transformational CEOs, and multigenerational family business leaders. Jackson and other Southeast regional winners will now compete for the national awards, which will be announced in mid-November.
CHG Healthcare Celebrated for Outstanding Workplace Culture and Diversity
June 4, 2024 | CHG Healthcare
CHG Healthcare earned significant recognition in 2024 for its exemplary workplace culture and commitment to diversity and inclusion. The company has received several prestigious awards this year:
- Parity.org 2024 Best Companies for Equal Advancement Opportunity List: For the second consecutive year, CHG has been acknowledged for fostering a culture where all employees have equal opportunities for advancement and success.
- Sun Sentinel Top Workplaces 2024: For the eighth year in a row, CHG has been named a top workplace based on employee feedback that highlights respect, support, and empowerment within the organization.
- Modern Healthcare’s Best Places to Work 2024: For the sixth consecutive year, CHG has been recognized for empowering its employees to deliver exceptional care, products, and services.
- Women Tech Council’s Shatter List: For the fifth year, CHG has been honored for its initiatives to promote gender inclusivity and advance women in the technology sector through executive engagement, leadership programs, and community investment.
- Great Place to Work-Certified: An impressive 92% of CHG employees rate it as a great place to work, significantly higher than the national average of 57%. This certification reflects employee satisfaction with the company’s community contributions, welcoming atmosphere, and overall pride in their workplace.
Jackson + Coker Named ‘2024 Best Staffing Firm to Work For’ in 201-500 Employees Category
July 1, 2024 | Staffing Industry Analysts
Jackson + Coker Locum Tenens, founded in 1978 and based in Alpharetta, Georgia, has been recognized as the Grand Prize Winner in the 201 to 500 employees category for the 2024 Best Staffing Firms to Work For awards. This accolade results from the company’s dedication to excellence in locum tenens healthcare staffing and connecting healthcare organizations with top-tier physicians and advanced practice providers.
Central to Jackson + Coker’s success is its deeply ingrained organizational culture, built on values of putting others first, wisdom, and growth. President Tim Fischer ensures that the team works with a shared vision and mission.
Jackson + Coker is working to improve its company culture by making employees feel they belong and have a clear purpose. They achieve this by having employees answer personalized “Where do I fit in” statements, which help them see how their work contributes to the company’s overall vision. The company also supports ongoing growth and innovation, encouraging employees to try new ideas and accept that failures can be valuable learning experiences.
All Star Healthcare Solutions Recognized as a Top Workplace in the Healthcare Industry
July 11, 2024 | PR Newswire
All Star Healthcare Solutions was recognized as one of the top workplaces in the healthcare industry for the 150–499 employees category in Energage’s 2024 National Industry Awards. The distinction is based on employee feedback collected through a confidential, science-based engagement survey conducted by Energage, an HR technology and research company.
CEO and President of All Star Healthcare Solutions Ken Bernstein expressed gratitude for this achievement, stating it reflects the company’s encouraging, inclusive, and fun culture, driven by its dedicated employees.
“This honor also reflects our people’s absolute dedication to delivering our signature ‘Red Carpet’ Service, going above and beyond every day,” he added. “They make a tremendous impact on people’s lives by connecting providers with healthcare facilities so patients have greater access to high-caliber care. Their devotion to our clients, providers, and community, as well as the entire All Star family, is humbling.”
The National Industry Awards honor companies that prioritize people-first cultures. Energage’s benchmarks are derived from over 18 years of culture research, covering millions of employees across numerous organizations.
NALTO Board Members Travel to DC to Advocate for HR 5208
July 9, 2024 | LinkedIn
Last month, NALTO board members and the Legislative Committee met in Washington, DC, to advocate for HR 5208, the “Health Care Provider Minimization Act,” introduced last year by Rep. Earl “Buddy” Carter of Georgia. This act aims to improve patient access and healthcare delivery, especially in rural areas that are often underserved.
Dr. Kian Modanlou, a locum tenens physician, joined the advocacy efforts, bringing insights from his practice. His participation and contributions from Anthony Szydlowski of All Star Healthcare Solutions, and Edwin W. Christensen and Autumn Begay of CHG Healthcare highlighted the collective commitment to this cause.
NALTO urges its stakeholders to contact their representatives to support this legislation. For more information, visit the NALTO website.
Hire Power
NALTO Partnership with Advisory Board Brings Exclusive Industry Insights to Its Members
July 3, 2024 | LinkedIn
NALTO recently partnered with Advisory Board to enhance its membership benefits by providing exclusive access to the healthcare research firm’s industry insights and strategies.
Advisory Board, known for its healthcare consulting and research expertise, brings valuable knowledge to help navigate the evolving healthcare industry. Through this collaboration, NALTO will deliver monthly articles authored by Advisory Board’s research experts, offering critical data and trends relevant to healthcare leaders.
The partnership gives members actionable insights that address industry changes and provides steps to help them improve operations.
Addressing Physician Burnout With Innovative Well-Being Programs
July 2, 2024 | HealthLeaders
Top clinical officers at Allegheny Health Network, UW Health, and Houston Methodist are prioritizing physician well-being, with various strategies tailored to address the issue.
- Allegheny Health Network reported a burnout rate 10 percentage points lower than the national average in recent years. Their wellness program includes initiatives such as ensuring meal breaks, hydration, and permanent peer support programs.
- UW Health is following the Stanford Medicine Model of Professional Fulfillment, focusing on wellness, efficiency, and personal resilience.
- Houston Methodist’s chief physician executive is spearheading the Joy in Medicine Initiative and engaging with physicians to define a culture of wellness.
These efforts are crucial as the nationwide physician shortage worsens, highlighting the importance of well-being programs for retention and recruitment. The 2021 AMA survey showed burnout symptoms in 62.8% of physicians, up from 38.2% in 2020. Health systems are implementing various interventions, from basic needs to advanced support like coding and billing efficiency, to combat this trend.
Making the Rounds
AMA Survey Reveals Significant Drop in Physician Burnout
July 2, 2024 | American Medical Association
After peaking at 63% in 2021, a 2023 AMA survey reveals burnout rates have fallen below 50% for the first time since 2020.
The survey, which included 12,400 physicians across 31 states, highlighted six key performance indicators that contribute to physician well-being: job satisfaction, job stress, burnout, intent to leave, feeling valued, and work hours.
Job satisfaction improved to 72% in 2023, up from 68% in 2022. However, 51% of physicians reported high job stress due to inadequate staffing and excessive administrative tasks. Data suggests that increased feelings of being valued by employers have helped mitigate burnout and reduce turnover.
Despite these improvements, burnout continues to cost the US healthcare system an estimated $5 billion annually.
Hospital Margins Reach 5% Amid Ongoing Financial Instability and Rising Costs
July 2, 2024 | Becker’s Hospital Review
Strata Decision’s Monthly Healthcare Industry Financial Benchmarks report shows median hospital margins at 5% year-to-date in May.
Data from over 1,600 US hospitals and 135,000 physicians reveals regional variations: the Midwest saw a 1% decrease in operating margins, while the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic experienced a 2% increase.
Hospital revenues were strong in May but lagged behind April. Inpatient revenue increased 7% year-over-year and 1% month-over-month, while outpatient revenue rose 8% year-over-year and 2% month-over-month. Total expenses grew 6% year-over-year and 2% month-over-month in May, driven by rising drug and supply costs, each up 8% year-over-year. Labor expenses increased 4% year-over-year and 2% month-over-month.
May marked the 13th consecutive month of year-over-year revenue increases. However, long-term trends show financial volatility in the healthcare industry and the need for strategic financial management.
Supreme Court Reverses Chevron Deference, Sparking Concerns for Healthcare Industry
June 28, 2024 | Becker’s Hospital Review
The Supreme Court overturned Chevron deference, a 40-year-old legal precedent that allowed courts to defer to federal agencies’ interpretations of ambiguous laws. This ruling, decided by a 6-3 vote, significantly alters how regulations will be enforced and interpreted across various sectors, including healthcare.
In healthcare, this shift could lead to a surge in lawsuits against agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). For instance, Hackensack Meridian Health has already filed a lawsuit against the HHS Secretary in response to this ruling. The removal of Chevron deference means healthcare regulations could become less predictable, potentially complicating compliance efforts for healthcare providers and increasing administrative burdens. This could also lead to more conservative rule-making by federal agencies, affecting everything from Medicare and Medicaid to FDA regulations.
AI-Powered Solutions Poised to Transform EHR Usability, Alleviate Burnout
June 30, 2024 | Kevin MD
The health technology sector, particularly electronic health records (EHR), has struggled with usability, according to an article on EHR-related burnout published in the National Library of Medicine.
In an opinion article on KevinMD, Dr. Kyna Fong, CEO of Elation Health, a clinical technology company, said that the rapid shift from paper to digital records in the late 2000s was driven by reimbursement and compliance but not informed by clinical needs. This left many systems outdated and inefficient. As a result, physicians face significant “technical debt,” the industry term for old, difficult-to-maintain systems.
Dr. Christine Sinsky of the AMA said burdensome EHR systems are a major factor in physician burnout and demand urgent action. With the rise of AI, Sinsky noted there’s an opportunity to address these issues and a risk of repeating past mistakes if AI applications don’t prioritize clinical quality.
The future of health technology hinges on prioritizing usability in AI development, Fong said. Success depends on creating AI solutions that genuinely support clinicians’ work, improve care quality, and rebuild trust in health technology.
Biden Administration Invests $206 Million to Boost Geriatric Training
July 2, 2024 | Axios
According to a Health Resources and Services Administration report, the US is projected to face a shortage of nearly 30,000 geriatricians by 2025. To address this, the Biden administration has committed $206 million to 42 academic institutions to train primary care providers in geriatric care.
These programs also support family members and community caregivers in managing care for older adults, including those with Alzheimer’s and related dementias.
The National Resident Matching Program notes that physicians receive minimal exposure to geriatric care during medical training, which can deter young doctors from entering this field. Additionally, lower insurance reimbursements for geriatricians and a lower patient volume than other specialties contribute to the shortage.
