Physicians: Is freelancing right for you?

 

It's no secret that physicians work long hours, experience high levels of anxiety and struggle to maintain a satisfying work-life balance. In addition to the stress of practicing medicine, physicians must also deal with a constantly changing regulatory landscape, shifting patient expectations and new technologies.

All of these factors have some doctors thinking about part-time work, but is it the right choice?

Creating a non-traditional physician career path

For many doctors, there are two career paths to follow: either open a private practice or work for a hospital group. Both routes have their advantages and challenges. Private practices can offer more autonomy, but they also require more administrative responsibility. Hospital work removes burdensome admin work, but introduces new restrictions on how physicians spend their time on the job.

For these and many other reasons, it should not be a surprise that 29 percent of physicians want to change their work environment to achieve better work-life balance, according to a 2018 Physicians Practice survey. Likewise, 46 percent of care providers reported they would consider becoming a locum tenens physician as an alternative to the traditional work environment.

Physicians considering locum tenens work should understand that they will likely need to manage multiple revenue streams to maintain their current lifestyle. However, this added responsibility comes with benefits like higher job satisfaction and more varied work assignments.

Finding locum tenens positions

The freelance life often appeals to doctors who have grown weary of tedious administrative burdens, teaching responsibilities, overbearing management and billing issues. Locum tenens doctors generally don't have to worry about these tasks, and they can create work schedules that work best for their personal preferences.

Additionally, freelance physicians have the ability to travel to unique locations to practice medicine. Indeed, locum tenens work is often preferred by physicians nearing retirement because it offers them a chance to experience life in multiple cities. For example, some physicians choose to take assignments in warmer climates during the winter. Younger physicians may also enjoy this type of assignment, as it can provide them the opportunity to try out several work environments before they settle on a more permanent location.

If you're thinking about becoming a locum tenens physician, sign up for free job alerts at myHealthTalent.com today. The freelance life often appeals to doctors who have grown weary of tedious administrative burdens, teaching responsibilities, overbearing management and billing issues.