Recent statistics released by the Association of American Medical Colleges revealed what most healthcare professionals already know: the U.S. is on the cusp of a significant physician shortage. According to the 2019 AAMC report, the country will experience a doctor shortage of up to nearly 122,000 practitioners by the year 2032.
With the demand for licensed and experienced professionals continuously exceeding available supply, many local and national practices are already feeling the impact of the predicted deficit. As a result, practices of every size and operating in virtually every specialty are relying on their preferred Locum Tenens partner to help them bridge their medical talent gaps, relieve workplace stress levels, and ensure the best patient experience possible.Should You Work With Locum Tenens?
Could your practice or facility benefit from leveraging Locum Tenens positions in your staffing model? Four telltale signs that you should partner with an experienced Locum Tenens staffing partner include:
Feeling Overwhelmed
A 2015 study released by the Mayo Clinic indicated that over 54% of all physicians surveyed reported experiencing at least one symptom associated with burnout. Yes, the fast-paced environment of most healthcare facilities induces standard levels of stress and fatigue. However, if you're constantly feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and unable to keep up with patient care and administrative tasks, a Locum Tenens staffing firm may prove an ideal solution.
Negative Workplace Culture
Maybe you're feeling well-equipped to manage the influx in patient demand – but how are your employees navigating through their daily tasks and responsibilities? As the primary decision-maker in your organization, you owe it to your staff to take a careful look at the current corporate culture being fostered at your practice. Have you noticed:
- Friction between your employees?
- Excessively high turnover rates?
- Increased absenteeism?
- Lowered productivity levels?
- Lack of staff cooperation?
- No shared team goals?
These can all be indicators of a negative corporate workplace culture resulting from not having enough internal resources to manage the daily tasks and responsibilities of the practice. Adding supplemental Locum Tenens physicians can help your team manage everything that's thrown their way, as well as revitalize the overall vibe at your place of business.
Lowered Patient Intake
Have you noticed a downward trend in the number of new patients you're able to see at your practice? A reduction in new patients can also be the mark of an overworked and overwhelmed medical staff. Many facilities find themselves struggling to maintain the breakneck pace required to see their existing patient load, which allows them little to no time to bring on new patients. Not being able to grow the practice due to lack of resources can have a direct impact on a center's bottom line and profit margins, making it critical to adjust the number of practitioners immediately.
Overcrowded Waiting Room
A consistently overcrowded waiting room is one of the biggest indicators that your medical center could benefit from a partnership with a Locum Tenens staffing firm. Let's face it: waiting patients are (typically) unhappy patients. Trying to manage a growing patient base with existing resources often means that your patients will spend excessive time in your waiting room and insufficient face-to-face time consulting with their doctors. A leading Locum Tenens staffing firm will provide as many high-performing physicians as needed to optimize efficiencies and quality of care at all times.
Ready to grow and scale your practice to meet the steady rise in patient demand? We can help. Contact LT Partners today to discuss your hiring needs with our experienced staffing professionals.
