Report reveals trends and attitudes of medical professionals

The Physicians Foundation and physician search firm Merritt Hawkins recently released their 2016 Survey of America’s Physicians — Practice Patterns & Perspectives. The study polls 17,236 active physicians on a variety of issues related to being medical professionals. Among the findings, they noted:

  • 80% of physicians are overextended or at capacity, with no time to see additional patients.
  • Nearly half of physicians often or always experience feelings of burn-out.
  • 54% of physicians rate their morale as somewhat negative or very negative.
  • 48% of physicians plan to cut-back on hours or take other steps limiting patient access to their practices.

So are there any uplifting trends in this survey? Thankfully, yes.

First and foremost, doctors are in it for their patients. The survey found that 71% of physicians describe “patient relationships” as the most satisfying aspect of medical practice.

Additionally, the percentage of physicians who plan to work as locum tenens in the next one to three years is on the rise. 11.5% of physicians plan to make that move, up from a similar survey in 2014 when only 9.1% of physicians said the same.

This data supports our premise that temporary healthcare staffing is good for the clinical provider, as well as for the hospital or medical practice. From the medical facility’s point of view, locum tenens medical professionals helps take the pressure off your permanent clinical providers by providing coverage for vacation time, maternity leave and other leaves of absence. For doctors and other clinicians who are ready for a change altogether, becoming a locum tenens worker offers freedom and flexibility to choose the duration, location and type of assignments that are most appealing.

Tinkbird Healthcare Staffing offers locum tenens placements, as well as permanent medical staffing in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Visit us online to learn more today.

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