When I reflect on the five years since Floyd Lee Locums’ founding, I think about the distance we’ve traveled—as a company, industry, and even as a country. Composing a post about the “State of Locums” would honestly have been different in each of those five years just purely due to the changes our national consciousness has gone through and the ways healthcare continues to morph to meet patient and community needs.
In 2022, never has that evolution been more on display.
Like the years that preceded this one, locums is benefitting and being challenged by healthcare’s “new normal.” Even though the consequences of the pandemic are still on full display in hospitals and clinics across the country, the critical focus (and funding, quite frankly) has shifted to other areas of interest. Key among them are fears of a recession and geopolitical turmoil abroad.
Given these challenges, and as we embark on National Locum Tenens Week this August 8-12, it has never been more appropriate to provide a “State of the Industry.” In fact, the seasonality of this celebration occurring in August and being at a unique intersection in how healthcare functions make several key insights clear.
The Eye of a Hurricane
Whether due to waning public and governmental interest, lack of budget and resources, or just plain mental and emotional exhaustion, this fall and winter will define the future of COVID care. We are in the eye of the hurricane—and experts predict a spike in COVID cases unlike anything we’ve seen yet. Locums providers will be key to addressing these care needs.
A Growing Gap
Read any study about the future of care in America—and the results are staggering. The number of future physicians entering practice do not meet population growth and need. Due to this, roles like Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, and other advanced practice providers will need to supplement key treatment in facilities. Further, the placement of those positions will most likely occur through the locums model.
In just the last year, over 90% of U.S. healthcare facilities chose to utilize locum tenens services, including 50,000 physicians placed in hospitals and clinics across our country. That’s due to several factors, including locums’ ability to offer multiple workforce solutions, the fact that statistics show locums providers offering “as-good” or better care than full-time providers, and the growing need for flexibility in how clinicians practice and facilities staff.
Now More Than Ever
Given these observations healthcare is at a critical juncture—but the future of locums is bright. The partnership and possibilities our discipline provides ensure the continuum of care remains intact—and that high-quality clinicians can find the professional growth opportunities that enliven their lives.
For us at Floyd Lee Locums, that’s something to be proud of. Because for us, it’s personal.
Happy National Locum Tenens Week!
Natasha Lee
To celebrate National Locum Tenens Week in 2022, Floyd Lee Locums is periodically releasing Locums Week articles dedicated to the changing face of our industry, our love of the locums lifestyle, and the professionals who make it all possible.
About Floyd Lee Locums
Floyd Lee Locums is a concierge healthcare staffing firm focused on offering physicians and advanced practice providers a stress-free job search and placement experience. As a partner to clinicians looking for a different way of working, we have a best-in-class team that offers greater freedom and flexibility in how providers practice, while delivering personalized amenities and support. As a staffing partner focused on demand planning and contingent workforce solutions, tailored to each organization, Floyd Lee Locums focuses on an end-to-end placement experience, with a single point-of-contact.
Founded in 2017, and headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina, Floyd Lee Locums has grown to 65+ internal employees who, depending on projects and needs, support anywhere from 300-450 healthcare providers on assignment per week. We are a multi-award-winning locums organization, being recognized as a “Best Staffing Firm to Temp For” three years running by Staffing Industry Analysts, an Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Company, and Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce “Small Business of the Year”.