Locum tenens and burnout: Why 71% of physicians report less exhaustion
Industry Buzz
There can definitely be weeks… where you're waiting to hear if there's work. You're almost certainly not going to be home for dinner with your family for several nights in a row, depending on how you set up your schedule and how far you're traveling.
—Adam Roussas, MD, MDE, via the American Medical Association
For physicians craving flexibility, autonomy, and a reset from burnout, locum tenens can feel like a breath of fresh air–but the tradeoffs are real.
Interest in locum tenens appears to be growing, as the number of physicians working in locums roles has grown steadily since 2020. As of 2024, about one-third of eligible US-based physicians have had experience working in locums jobs.[]
But does the promised work-life balance truly hold up in practice?
Why docs choose locums—and what to consider
Locum tenens physicians have traditionally taken on temporary roles to fill staffing gaps and cover for permanent clinicians. This role proved especially critical during the COVID-19 pandemic, when shortages of locums led to suspended hospital services and emergency department closures.[]
Most physician recruitment efforts prioritize permanent hires, placing less focus on locums because of their different employment preferences. Physicians who choose locum tenens are often driven by a desire for greater autonomy, part-time work, partial retirement, supplemental income, and less administrative burden.[]
"I've met internal medicine adult physicians and I've met people that do pediatrics that have done locum tenens and what you see is that a lot of them enjoy the freedom of choice for their schedule,” Trevor Cabrera, MD, a pediatrician, said during an episode of the “KevinMD” podcast. “They enjoy that autonomy of being able to really choose what they want to do and how much they're going to do it for or if they don't want to do it."[]
Locums work is not without drawbacks, though. Physicians may need to secure credentials for each facility and obtain additional state licenses, while also managing their own benefits, taxes, and paid leave.[]
"There can definitely be weeks, if you're not in a position where you're actively on the schedule a few months in advance, where you're waiting to hear if there's work,” Adam Roussas, MD, MDE, an emergency physician in Arizona who has worked in locum tenens roles since finishing residency, told the AMA. “You're almost certainly not going to be home for dinner with your family for several nights in a row, depending on how you set up your schedule and how far you're traveling."[]
Reducing physician burnout
Burnout is pushing many physicians to rethink how—and where—they practice medicine. For a growing number, locum tenens offers a potential path to better schedules, improved working conditions, and a renewed sense of control.
Most locums (85%) cited a better schedule as an important factor influencing their decision, followed by 80% who said that addressing feelings of burnout was an important factor.[]
While some docs who are burnt out leave clinical medicine altogether, 71% of locum tenens physicians said they had little to no burnout compared to 40% of physicians in non-locum roles.[]
"I've... found that a controlled workload with adequate periods of recovery between assignments eased many of my burnout symptoms," RK Devlin, MD, an infectious disease specialist, shared in a blog post with Locumstory. "I began to enjoy my time in the hospital again, to embrace the satisfaction that comes with doing right by my patients, and to relish my role in helping students and residents become better providers."[]
What to consider before making the switch
Before making the switch to locum tenens, it’s important to understand what you’re looking to gain. From defining your goals to navigating logistics, a little preparation can go a long way.
Identify why you want to work locum tenens. While most (46%) physicians work locum tenens to supplement their core income, others (27%) are primarily seeking to control their own schedules.[]
A locum tenens agency might be the best option for beginners. Agencies can assist with travel, housing, and credentials, which can be helpful when securing short-term contracts.
Be flexible on location. While locums work can be unstable, staying flexible in terms of where you work can make it easier to get involved and reap the financial benefits of locums work.
Be prepared for the paperwork. From new credentials, tax preparation, and reference checks, there is a lot of paperwork associated with independent contracting in clinical settings.