Every
young industry has its growing pains, and the locum tenens physician market is
no exception, especially when it comes to its cyclical pricing model. In many cases,
the cycles have been a roller coaster ride in recent years.
Some
locum tenens placement firms drive the roller coaster. They mark up prices as
demand increases, and do so with little regard for healthcare budgets or the
long-term impact of their pricing on a hospital or physician practice’s
financial health. Healthcare organizations are often all too willing to do
business with these firms to fill an immediate need, and often make short-term
decisions based more on emotion than rational thinking.
Working
in various physician leadership roles as a hospitalist for more than 10 years,
I have seen it all. And now as President and CEO of a locum tenens firm, I want
to do something about it.
No More “Fulfillment at Any Cost”
At
LocumConnections, we support new
models that are bringing equilibrium to an erratic market. Healthcare
organizations are taking many cost-trimming approaches seriously while infusing
quality performance measures, and are looking for partners in recruitment and
retention who want to help them achieve their goals.
In
response, staffing firms are streamlining their processes in an earnest effort
to reduce costs—implementing Vendor Management Systems (VMS), for example, to
reduce time-to-fill cycle length and help them work more efficiently. Managed
Service Providers (MSP) can have the same impact. Many of the larger locum
tenens firms are incorporating these tools
into their business as they seek sensible ways to avoid the “fulfillment at any
cost” trap.
Another
model is emerging, too. A firm like ours that has its roots in hospital and
practice management can put its experience to good use. LocumConnections’ roots
grew from actual case studies of clinical recruitment and staffing success in mitigating challenges with hospital partners
in the temporary contract hospitalist sector. In short, our model is built on
success, for success.
Prudent, Sustainable Solutions
We use a VMS system, too, to make our sourcing processes as efficient as
possible. But we also take a consultative
role to make staffing decisions that do more than just meet a hospital’s
immediate need for a doctor. We take into account the long-term as well as the
short-term impact. And because of our medical experience, we are able to put
ourselves in the shoes of the physicians and healthcare organizations we work
with and respond with a solution that is prudent, compassionate, and
sustainable—not just for the organization, but for the healthcare industry, as
well. Quick fixes just won’t suffice any longer.
The Association of American Medical Colleges
predicts a shortage of up to 90,000 physicians by 2025 if the healthcare sector fails to aggressively adopt
more efficient care and payment models. All the more reason for a
fundamental shift in the way staffing challenges are addressed, at prices
hospitals can afford, and for doing so today. That’s why we’re here.
by Talbot “Mac” McCormick, MD
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