World

Locum Tenens – Why Doctors Choose To Work As Locums

Published

2 years ago

January 19, 2021

While some doctors work as locum tenants instead of full-time jobs, the majority of doctors work in addition to full-time jobs, according to a new study. Last year, 40,000 doctors worked in senior positions in the US, and physician recruiters and locum tenens companies are an important part of this fast-growing industry.

Data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Health indicate that locum doctors will help address the challenges facing hospitals and millions of patients across the country in the coming decades.

Reasons Why Doctors Choose Locum Work

Locum doctors fill many posts and ensure that more people go to doctors and receive medical care, which compensates for the shortage of doctors, especially in underserved areas.

Many locum doctors use temporary work to focus their careers solely on clinical care. Hospital doctors can also use it to determine what they want to do with their careers.

Hospital administrators also find using temporary staffing solutions appealing to save on training and career development costs, and the cost of treatment errors is covered in most contracts.

High demand also means that doctors can afford to be flexible about where they want to use their skills and when they want to work.

Given the large number of patients currently being seen, GPs can feel safer to find work at any time and be more flexible in their working hours.

Salaries for general practitioners have increased in recent years, but doctors often have no leeway to negotiate with health care providers. Working as a locum gives a doctor the opportunity to increase their earnings.

Some locum doctors choose this type of employment because they can explore different hospital situations and locations to determine where they want to settle.

Newly trained doctors may opt for a locum-based position because it can be a more stable and affordable option than starting their own practice.

Many doctors do this type of work to earn extra income and gain more experience, but there are doctors who want to end their careers or work less in retirement.

Some temporary doctors are willing to take a second or third job to supplement their income and pay off student loans, according to the American College of Physicians.

With locum tenens, doctors can work in any medical function, and there is a wide range of jobs available in different medical specialties.

Many doctors say they can be more present at home because they don’t worry about paperwork, personnel decisions, or departmental meetings.

Hospitals and facilities across the country regularly use locums when full-time staff is on leave or they are waiting to hire a new doctor. So there are ample opportunities locum doctors can choose from.

The Popularity of Locum Work Will Continue

Not long ago, working in locum tenens was seen as a way for older doctors to retire or new doctors to try different jobs before committing permanently. While there are still a small number of doctors in the US with full-time jobs, a growing number of doctors are taking a new view of locum tenens work and defining it as part of their career path.

World

Top Road Trip Destinations in Canada

Published

2 months ago

April 16, 2023

Jenny Jackson

Did you know that 1.93 million Americans traveled to Canada in 2020? That number was down year-over-year due to COVID-related travel restrictions.

While some Americans visit the Great White North via plane, others prefer road trips. It can be fun to plan an itinerary, book a hotel, pack the luggage, load your family into the car, and head to the border. But if a road trip to Canada is in the plans for you and yours this summer, what Canadian destinations are worth the potentially thousands of miles of driving? Keep reading to learn about the top road trip destinations in Canada.

Grasslands National Park in Saskatchewan

Grasslands National Park is one of Canada’s 44 national parks and park reserves. Whether you’re an earlier bird or a night owl, the national park in Southern Saskatchewan provides an ideal prairie landscape. It’s the perfect place to unwind, immerse yourself in nature, and recalibrate your life.

Enjoy the great outdoors on a campsite, or take part in hiking adventures by exploring trails. The solitude and breathtaking beauty of this national park will leave you in awe. Make time for the Ecotour Scenic Drive. It’s about 20 km (around 12.5 miles) long and will take one to three hours to complete depending on your pace.

Toronto to Stratford, Ontario

If there’s one Canadian city most Americans have heard of, it’s Toronto. Toronto, the capital of Ontario, is the fourth largest city on the continent. It’s also home to the only authentic castle in North America. Casa Loma, located in midtown Toronto, is worth the visit. So, too, is the CN Tower, which is the biggest free-standing structure in the Western Hemisphere. The city also has citizens representing 200+ ethnic groups.

While there’s plenty to see and do in Toronto, why stop there? It’s a good idea to include a Toronto-to-Stratford excursion while on your road trip to Canada. You must travel 150 km (about 93 miles ) west to get to Stratford. You’ll see Victorian architecture and get to take in the live theater. Most Americans probably haven’t heard of Stratford before. But when you come for a visit, there’s a good possibility you won’t ever forget it.

North Cape Coastal Drive, Prince Edward Island

If you haven’t ever taken a road trip to Prince Edward Island, you don’t know what you’re missing. It’s Canada’s smallest province, but it sure offers a boatload of fun. Are you a foodie or do you like to indulge in the local cuisine when traveling? Check out the western peninsula. You can delight your tastebuds with the range of food available.

Make time to visit the Canadian Potato Museum in the province. After taking in the sites and attractions at the museum, enjoy a meal at the onsite PEI Potato Country Kitchen. The menu has items like the chili topped baked potato, which features a baked potato, homemade chili, and cheese. Meanwhile, the pulled pork potato features a baked potato topped with pulled pork, cheese, and sour cream on the side. That’s just a sampling, and all baked potato dishes are served with fresh-cut, homemade chips.

If you’re intersted in a U.S. to Canada road trip this year, the options above will give you some ideas. The sky’s the limit since there’s so much to see and do.

You’ll want to ensure your vehicle is in good working order to avoid breakdowns. You’ll also want to stay alert on the road since you’ll be traveling a lot of miles and spending hours behind the wheel of your car.

If you get into an accident, you must know what to do. In addition to reporting the accident, calling your insurer, and possibly even booking a rental car to complete your road trip, you’ll want to contact a personal injury lawyer if anyone is injured.

No one wants to consider accidents or injuries when on a road trip. But it’s best to hope for the best while being prepared for the worst. You’ll enjoy the journey and the destination a lot more when you’ve done everything possible to prepare for any possible issues.