'Float pool' offers alternative to locum tenens

Practices have always had to handle temporary physician vacancies from maternity leave, a scheduled vacation, or an unexpected resignation or firing, but as more physicians opt for part-time work options, filling these vacancies is becoming an increasingly common problem.

The first place most practices look to solve this problem is locum tenens physicians, which are temporary doctors hired from an external agency. Seventy-seven percent of healthcare facilities have used a locum tenens physician within the past 12 months, and 54% are currently looking for locums to supplement the existing staff, according Staff Care’s 2008 Review of Temporary Physician Staffing Trends.