Healthcare organizations are relying more heavily on locum tenens clinicians than they did just a few years ago.
Staffing shortages, rising patient volumes, and ongoing turnover have made supplemental coverage a necessary part of maintaining consistent care.
That shift is prompting a different conversation around how facilities evaluate locum physicians once coverage is in place. A recent ACEP Now article outlined a multipronged strategy for reviewing emergency medicine locums through clinical, operational, and financial measures. While the model was developed for EDs, many of the same principles apply across other care settings.
Why Assessment is Getting More Attention
Providers who accept locum opportunities are often brought in during periods of strain. A unit may be expanding, managing unforeseen vacancies, or navigating fluctuations in patient demand. In those moments, the immediate priority is securing coverage. Schedules need to be filled, and care must continue without disruption.
Once stability returns, a more practical question surfaces. Is this actually working?
A structured approach helps answer that question. It allows leadership to move beyond assumptions and look at how things are really functioning over time. It also establishes alignment. Permanent physicians are already held to defined standards, and applying similar criteria to locum tenens clinicians reinforces fairness across the group.
Clarity matters. When what success looks like is outlined and measured consistently, it becomes easier to build trust between employed physicians and those working assignments. Without that transparency, perceptions can form quickly, particularly when cost disparities are visible.
Looking Beyond a Single Metric
Evaluating locums requires more than one data point. A single measure rarely captures the full picture, especially in complex clinical environments.
Provider efficiency is often one of the first areas assessed. Patients per hour, adjusted for acuity and conditions, offer a useful starting point. This helps determine whether a doctor is keeping pace with workflow and contributing at a level that aligns with the rest of the team.
Documentation is just as important. Timely and accurate chart completion supports billing, compliance, and continuity of care. Delays or discrepancies can trigger downstream issues that affect both operations and revenue. Setting well-defined standards around quality and responsiveness helps maintain consistency.
Cost is another key factor, but it needs to be examined in full context. The hourly rate is only one piece of the total investment. Travel, lodging, agency fees, onboarding, and scheduling logistics all add to the overall spend. Looking at cost per shift alongside productivity and dependability provides a more accurate view of value.
Continuity also plays a role. Providers who work repeatedly within the same setting tend to become better acquainted with workflows, EHRs, and team dynamics. That familiarity often leads to smoother exchanges and stronger results over time. Sporadic coverage can still be useful, but it may require further orientation and adjustment.
Patient experience rounds out the process. Communication, professionalism, and the ability to connect with patients remain essential expectations. Locums represent the department just as permanent staff do, and their interactions can influence how patients perceive the organization as a whole.
Taken together, these areas present a more complete image. They also make it easier to identify which clinicians are strong long-term partners and which may not be the right fit for ongoing assignments.
Understanding Cost in Context
The financial side of locum tenens is often the first thing people focus on. Higher hourly rates and additional expenses can stand out, especially when compared with employed physicians.
That visibility can cause concern if it isn’t dealt with thoughtfully. Some clinicians may question how resources are being allocated, particularly when they are already managing demanding workloads.
A distinct framework helps move the conversation forward. Instead of looking at cost alone, it connects financial investment to measurable outcomes. Efficiency, reliability, and patient experience all touch on the significant benefits a locum physician provides.
Transparency is vital. When leadership explains how decisions are made and what factors are being considered, it reduces speculation. It also reinforces that physicians working on a temporary basis are being held to the same level of accountability as permanent staff.
Fairness, Accountability, and Team Culture
Evaluation goes beyond numbers. It directly shapes how teams operate day to day.
Holding locum doctors to the same standards as employed clinicians sends a clear message. Everyone is supposed to contribute at a high level and is held responsible for the quality of care delivered.
That supports morale and helps prevent the perception that 1099 clinicians are treated differently or given more flexibility without the same expectations. At the same time, it reinforces respect for the crucial need locums help address. Far from outsiders, they’re colleagues working toward the same goals.
Departments that take a thoughtful stance tend to build stronger working relationships across their teams. Benchmarks are apparent, communication improves, and performance discussions feel grounded rather than subjective.
A More Intentional Strategy for Locum Tenens
Providers who work locums continue to perform a critical function in today’s healthcare environment. They provide flexibility, support continuity, and help facilities navigate ongoing workforce challenges.
As their role expands, structured review becomes less optional and more essential. A comprehensive approach allows health systems to understand what’s working, pinpoint what isn’t, and make informed decisions about future staffing.
This isn’t about adding scrutiny. Cost, quality, and routine performance need to move together, especially in high-pressure clinical settings.
Organizations that handle this process with clarity and consistency are better positioned to use locum tenens effectively. They can maintain high standards of care, support their permanent teams, and ensure that interim coverage brings real value.
Want more stories like these? Be the first to know when locum tenens news breaks and sign up for our newsletter at https://www.locumpedia.com/newsletter.
