Hospitals are turning to locum tenens because they often lack alternative options. What does that mean for physicians?
Welcome to Locums CME 57, Locumpedia’s bi-weekly news roundup that helps physicians and APPs maximize their locum tenens lifestyle.
Our lead story: As a wave of older physicians retires, hospitals are doubling down on locums to close care gaps. Meanwhile, more providers are turning to locum work as a means to escape burnout and regain control over their schedules. The model isn’t friction-free, but as these two trends come together, one thing becomes clear: locum tenens clinicians are becoming mission-critical to US healthcare.
Also in this edition of locums CME: Why burnout can sneak up even on the most seasoned docs, how AI is reshaping telemedicine, and why summer travel assignments are ramping up. We’re also busting myths about international locums and exploring whether rural gigs might be a hidden career cheat code.
Hospitals Turn to Locum Tenens as Staffing Strains Deepen
June 6 | The Good Men Project
With physician shortages worsening and burnout on the rise, more healthcare organizations are relying on locum tenens providers to maintain smooth operations. Shifting demographics, fluctuating patient volumes, and mounting pressure to deliver high-quality care have made temporary staffing a key strategy. Locum tenens practitioners offer the flexibility hospitals need to manage seasonal spikes and unexpected gaps without sacrificing continuity.
Several forces are fueling this growing reliance. As older physicians retire and younger doctors prioritize lifestyle balance, the demand for short-term clinical help has skyrocketed. Locum work provides clinicians with a way to sidestep traditional burnout triggers, such as rigid schedules and administrative overload, while still serving patients. For many, it’s not just a stopgap solution but a sustainable career move that better aligns with personal goals.
Still, the model isn’t without friction. Temporary roles often pay more per hour, but they can result in inconsistent income and challenging integration into established teams. However, those challenges are sparking innovative solutions, from streamlined onboarding to enhanced credentialing systems. As digital tools and value-based care initiatives gain traction, locum providers are poised to become even more essential. Their agility helps meet rising demand while maintaining care quality, a win-win in today’s stretched system.
Your Locums Prescription
Medical Staffing Agencies Are a Practical Option for Physicians Seeking Flexibility
June 11 | ProLocums
For physicians exploring flexible work options, partnering with a medical staffing agency can simplify the locum tenens process. These agencies connect clinicians with short-term assignments that match their availability, skills, and practice preferences, whether they’re early in their careers, mid-transition, or easing into retirement.
In addition to job matching, many agencies offer support with credentialing, travel arrangements, licensing, and malpractice insurance coverage. This logistical help can reduce administrative burdens and allow providers to focus on clinical care.
Still, not every agency operates the same way. Clinicians should look for organizations with transparent contracts, strong industry credentials (like Joint Commission certification), and recruiters who prioritize a good fit over sales. For those considering locum tenens work, a well-aligned agency partnership can offer structure, support, and access to diverse practice environments.
Is Rural Healthcare for You? Why More Locum Providers Are Saying Yes
June 5 | Wilderness Medical Staffing
Rural healthcare isn’t just about geography. It’s about showing up where you’re needed most. This type of care is often found in non-metro areas that frequently lack regular access to physicians, specialists, and essential resources. For some communities, a locum tenens provider might be the only source of care for miles. Whether you’re driving into a small town or flying into a village off the road system, rural and remote work asks a lot but gives back even more.
The challenges are real: limited backup, slower access to supplies, and unpredictable logistics. But so are the rewards. You’ll experience slower-paced days, deeper connections with patients, and the opportunity to make a significant impact in communities that truly value your presence. Many providers are surprised by how meaningful this work feels and how welcome they’re made to feel, even on a weekend assignment. Rural medicine shifts from transactional to relational, and that shift can re-energize your entire career.
Not sure if rural work is right for you? Providers who thrive in these roles are adaptable, independent, and find purpose in serving underserved communities. You don’t need to have all the answers up front, but if something about the idea pulls at you, that might be your sign. Rural locum tenens isn’t for everyone, but for those who try it, it often becomes the most meaningful work they’ve ever done.
International Locum Tenens: Myths Busted, Opportunities Unlocked
June 9 | Global Medical Staffing
International locum tenens work sometimes gets a bad rap, largely thanks to persistent myths that simply don’t hold up. From worries about complex paperwork to fears of language barriers or limited housing options, many physicians rule it out before understanding the reality. In truth, most assignments include furnished housing or a stipend, and nearly all take place in English-speaking settings. Your biggest challenge is simply deciding where you want to go and for how long.
The application process does require planning, but staffing agencies streamline everything from credentialing and visas to relocation logistics. Assignments are available worldwide and can last from a few weeks to several years. Physicians can bring family members along (visas permitting), and while bringing pets may be more complicated, it’s not impossible with the right prep. Many doctors find that international locums offers an unmatched blend of professional growth and personal adventure.
Whether you’re craving a stint in New Zealand, considering the Virgin Islands, or just want a fresh perspective on your medical career, international assignments open doors. Specialty demand varies by region, but agencies are well-equipped to help you match with the right opportunity. If you’re even a little curious, start the conversation early. That dream gig abroad might be closer than you think.
Why More Physicians Are Choosing Locum Tenens And Loving It
June 2 | Wapiti Medical
Locum tenens has moved from the fringe to the forefront of modern medicine. Once viewed as a short-term or pre-retirement option, it now attracts over 50,000 physicians, or approximately 7% of the US workforce, thanks to the freedom, flexibility, and financial benefits it offers. With nearly 90% of hospitals and clinics using locums on an annual basis, this staffing solution is no longer a backup plan. It’s a career path with real appeal, particularly for physicians seeking balance and autonomy.
Why the surge in interest? Locum tenens allows physicians to have complete control over their schedules, reduces burnout, and opens doors to lucrative, location-flexible work opportunities. Whether it’s taking assignments seasonally, exploring different clinical environments, or ramping down into retirement, locum roles fit a wide range of goals and lifestyles. The model also cuts out much of the administrative overhead that weighs down traditional jobs. That means no office politics, fewer meetings, and way more patient-facing time.
From gaining experience in new specialties to serving underserved areas, locum tenens delivers unmatched professional growth and purpose. Physicians can explore without committing long-term, test-drive new career paths, or simply take a breather without stepping away from medicine. For anyone feeling stuck, stretched thin, or just ready for a change, locums offers a way to keep practicing on your own terms.
Physician Wellness Retreat
Why Burnout in Medicine Often Goes Unnoticed, Even by Providers
June 7 | KevinMD
In medicine, burnout doesn’t always come crashing in; it often hides in plain sight. Clinicians are trained to remain composed, stay focused, and never show weakness. From the first day of clinical rotations, emotional suppression becomes a survival skill, not a red flag. That same stoicism that earns professional respect can also mask profound exhaustion, creating a culture where burnout is misread as competence and asking for help feels like failure.
This learned behavior is passed down across generations of healthcare providers. Many supervisors today were trained under the same pressure to “push through,” and that mindset can unintentionally silence younger clinicians who are struggling. Even when the signs are there, mental fog, detachment, loss of joy, they’re often brushed off. Like patients in denial of a diagnosis, clinicians may rationalize what they’re experiencing as just a tough stretch, instead of acknowledging burnout for what it is.
But recognizing burnout is only the first step. What matters next is what we do with that awareness. While the path out isn’t one-size-fits-all, any progress, whether it’s setting a boundary, changing a role, or rediscovering joy outside the clinic, can be powerful. Burnout doesn’t have to be the end of your clinical journey. It can be the signal that it’s time to take a new path, one that values your well-being as much as your skill.
More Time Off, Less Burnout: Physicians Finally Take Vacations, and It’s Paying Off
June 10 | American Medical Association
Physicians are finally using their vacation days, and burnout is decreasing as a result. New AMA data from over 100 health systems shows a clear shift: more doctors are stepping away from the clinic and unplugging. In 2024, physician burnout fell to 43%, the lowest since the pandemic. Meanwhile, nearly 29% of physicians took 20 or more vacation days, a significant increase from previous years. While emergency physicians still lag, the overall trend is promising.
Health systems are starting to get the message: vacation isn’t just a perk, it’s essential. Leading organizations are piloting inbox coverage programs, rotating message responsibilities, and even forming dedicated task forces to address physician workload during leave. More doctors are reporting time away with zero inbox time, up from 28% to nearly 33% in a year. Fewer are spending 60+ minutes a day on messages while on PTO, a key factor in reducing stress and intent to leave.
More than just rest, time off is about being seen and supported. Programs like those at Baptist Health, Confluence Health, and Marshfield Clinic show that physician well-being improves when time off is protected and culturally encouraged. Whether it’s clearing inboxes, easing coverage logistics, or simply making space to recharge, systems that prioritize meaningful time off are building better, more sustainable careers for their physicians.
Summer Travel Assignments Are Heating Up (Even in Cooler Places)
June 10 | AB Staffing Solutions
Summer is great for vacation, but it’s also prime time for locum tenens and travel healthcare assignments. Facilities from California to Massachusetts (and even the charming town of Beaufort, South Carolina) are scrambling to cover for permanent staff on vacation and meet surging patient demand. It’s an ideal season to take a 13-week contract in a destination you’ve always wanted to explore, especially since high patient volumes often mean more shifts and more pay.
Warmer weather also opens up more than just job options. From coastal cities to mountain towns, summer assignments place clinicians in bucket-list locations packed with festivals, hiking trails, farmers markets, and outdoor dining. Whether you’re into paddleboarding, yoga in the park, or hitting a food truck festival, summer contracts offer serious lifestyle perks alongside meaningful clinical work. Just don’t forget to plan. Some outdoor destinations (like Supai, Arizona) require reservations.
Beyond the paycheck and the scenery, summer is a social goldmine for travel clinicians. Recruiters can often connect you with others on assignment in the same city, and online groups make it easy to find meet-ups. From spontaneous beach days to concert hangs with coworkers, you might just expand your professional network and make a few new friends while you’re at it. With overtime potential and unforgettable experiences, summer might just be the smartest time to take your next contract.
Study Ties Frequent Moves to Less Burnout, More Career Satisfaction
June 6 | Healthgrades
A new study of Nobel Prize winners suggests that frequent moves, or working in multiple locations, might do more than spice up your resume. Researchers found that Nobel laureates who changed workplaces more frequently began their prize-winning work nearly three years earlier than their peers who remained in the same workplace. For healthcare professionals, this kind of variety could offer similar benefits, including reduced burnout, sharper thinking, and greater career fulfillment.
Experts point to a clear connection between diverse job experiences and sustained creativity. Whether it’s a travel nurse bouncing between coastal towns or a locum physician working across hospital systems, exposure to different workflows, patient populations, and care environments builds confidence and adaptability. These varied experiences challenge providers to think in new ways, solve unfamiliar problems, and grow their networks. In other words, skills that can get stifled in long-term, single-site roles.
Moving jobs isn’t just about climbing the ladder faster; it may be key to lasting well-being. Clinicians who change settings often report a greater sense of purpose and joy in their work, which research has linked to improved health outcomes and lower mortality rates. In a field where burnout still affects over 45% of providers, working in multiple locations might be one of the most underappreciated ways to stay engaged, resilient, and excited about medicine.
Doctor’s Notes
The Doctor Shortage Is Already Here
June 4 | Stat News
The US is facing a shortage of 124,000 physicians by 2027, and a recent visa pause has only exacerbated the issue. Thousands of J-1 visa holders, scheduled to start residency on July 1, are now stuck in limbo. These aren’t hypothetical doctors, but real people who were ready to work and fill critical gaps in the healthcare system. With more than 30% of American doctors nearing retirement age and an aging population in need of care, the timing couldn’t be worse.
Despite strong demand for physicians, the current system restricts international medical students from training and practicing in the US. In 2023, only 1.25% of all medical students were international, mainly due to restrictive admissions policies and inflexible visa rules. Public universities tend to prioritize in-state applicants, while international students face steep tuition and limited opportunities for sponsorship after graduation, even when they’re already trained here and ready to serve.
Proposed solutions, like the DOCTORS Act and the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act, offer bipartisan hope. These initiatives aim to keep qualified international physicians in the US workforce, helping understaffed hospitals and underserved communities. With nearly 20% of the physician workforce already trained abroad, the fix isn’t radical; it’s common sense. If a provider is trained here, wants to stay, and is committed to delivering care, then the US should do everything possible to retain them.
Why Physicians Need a Financial Plan That Works
June 11 | Medical Economics
Despite their high earnings, many physicians struggle to build wealth due to late starts, student debt, and the overwhelming complexity of their finances. A traditional “one-size-fits-all” financial plan often fails to account for their unique challenges: unpredictable income, limited time, and goals that don’t follow a textbook retirement path. The key to meaningful financial planning lies in clarity, not complexity. Physicians need streamlined systems that clearly display what they own and how it aligns with their priorities, without adding to their mental overload.
Strategic planning also means rethinking conventional wisdom. Tax-deferred accounts can backfire in retirement, so balancing them with Roth and taxable accounts offers future flexibility. Asset location (choosing where to hold investments) can improve returns without changing risk. And liquidity planning is critical, especially for those juggling irregular pay, private practice, or significant life transitions. Whether it’s unexpected expenses or new opportunities, access to cash can mean freedom and control.
Most importantly, financial planning should reflect a physician’s actual life, not just income projections. Many doctors want to slow down, shift careers, or invest in family or passion projects before a traditional retirement age. When financial plans align with those real goals, they become tools for autonomy and resilience. Planning is not a one-time fix; it’s a continuous system that adapts with you. And for physicians who spend their careers serving others, that kind of intentional structure is non-negotiable.
The One Interview Question That Sets High-Achieving Candidates Apart
June 5 | Winston Resources
There’s one powerful question that consistently separates top candidates from the rest: “What does success look like in this role over the next few months, and how can I best support those goals?” This closing move is a strategic signal that shows the interviewer you’re already thinking about delivering value and aligning with the team’s real-world needs. Whether you’re eyeing a locum tenens role or a full-time clinical position, asking about success metrics puts you in a stronger position to understand expectations and demonstrate your readiness.
For clinicians, this question also opens a direct line to the core challenges of the role. Perhaps a hospital is working to improve patient satisfaction scores or revamp its care coordination processes. Asking how success is measured reveals not just the responsibilities, but the bigger “why” behind them. It’s a way to assess if your skills, schedule, and interests align with what the job demands before you sign on the dotted line.
This wrap-up strategy also reinforces adaptability, emotional intelligence, and cultural fit, all of which are critical in fast-moving clinical environments. Locum physicians are expected to integrate quickly, navigate diverse systems, and deliver results under pressure. A well-placed question about impact shows that instead of looking for a contract, you’re looking to contribute meaningfully and thrive wherever you go.
AI Is Reshaping Telemedicine, But What Does That Mean for Physicians?
June 4 | Tech Target
Artificial intelligence is doing more than just streamlining office work—it’s transforming how virtual care is delivered. In 2025, AI is now part of everything from remote triage and image interpretation to chronic disease management and mental health check-ins. Sixty-six percent of physicians reported using AI tools in 2024, up from 38% the previous year. These tools help clinicians assess patients more efficiently, personalize treatment plans, and allocate more time to patient care rather than paperwork.
For physicians working locum tenens, this technology can be a game-changer. AI-powered virtual assistants now handle scheduling, patient intake, and medication reminders, reducing administrative burdens in unfamiliar settings. Remote monitoring tools powered by AI enable more continuous care, particularly in rural or underserved areas. Algorithms can also analyze patient data in real-time, flagging critical issues and enabling more precise, proactive interventions from anywhere.
Still, there are growing pains. Physicians are wary of relying too heavily on AI, and concerns about data privacy, algorithm transparency, and disruption to established workflows remain. However, as AI continues to evolve, its potential to enhance care delivery and mitigate burnout also increases. For locums, especially those navigating short-term roles or rural assignments, AI may soon be the virtual partner you didn’t know you needed.
Sponsored Content
How Locum Tenens Physicians Can Use Real Estate to Slash Taxes and Build Wealth
March 13 | The Doctor’s CPA
Real estate isn’t just a passive income stream. It’s a powerful tax strategy for locum tenens physicians. As 1099 contractors, many physicians face unique mortgage challenges; however, options like physician-specific loan programs offer flexible financing with low or no down payments, no private mortgage insurance, and income verification that works even without traditional W-2s. While these loans can’t be used for investment properties, they’re an ideal solution for primary residence purchases.
Tax advantages are where real estate shines. Locums can deduct property expenses, home office costs, and depreciation, while rental property owners can enjoy write-offs, like property management fees and legal expenses. For those who own a home and meet IRS residency rules, capital gains exemptions of up to $500,000 (if married) can apply, even if you’ve rented it short-term while on assignment. And with a self-directed retirement account, you could invest up to $300,000 annually into real estate, tax-free.
These strategies not only help with taxes but also build long-term financial security. Rental properties can generate steady income, 1031 exchanges can defer capital gains, and thoughtful liquidity planning keeps your credit and DTI ratio mortgage-ready. For physicians who want to invest with intention, real estate is more than an asset. It’s a strategic financial move that works because of the locum lifestyle, not despite it.
Cardiologist Compensation in 2025: How to Maximize Your Value Without Flatlining on Flexibility
June 23 | OnCall Solutions
In 2025, full-time cardiologists earn an average of $ 585,000 annually, with subspecialists like electrophysiologists earning up to $627,000. But experience, location, and employment model all shape those numbers. Cardiologists with over 20 years of experience can earn 52% more than early-career peers. High-demand states like California and D.C. offer top-dollar salaries, while rural assignments in places like North Dakota also pay well due to provider shortages.
Locum tenens cardiologists can out-earn their permanent peers by 4%, with daily rates ranging from $2,200 to $2,500. On top of that, locums enjoy perks, like housing stipends, licensing support, and flexible schedules. That said, permanent roles still offer compelling benefits, like PTO, health insurance, and employer-sponsored retirement plans. Choosing the right mix of flexibility and financial stability depends on your career goals and life priorities.
Specializing is also a game-changer: invasive/interventional cardiologists and electrophysiologists can earn significantly more than generalists, especially as non-invasive technologies become more mainstream. Whether you’re exploring a move or looking to maximize your current role, knowing your market value is the first step. And if you’re not earning what you’re worth, it may be time to consider locum work.