The traditional medical career path is changing rapidly. After spending 15 years as an emergency medicine physician in Boston, Dr. Sarah Jeffries knew she needed a change. “I was burning out fast,” she admits. “The 12-hour shifts and constant pressure were taking a toll on my health and family life.” Her solution came from an unexpected conversation with a colleague who had embraced locum tenens work.
Today’s physicians increasingly reject the notion that success means a single practice for decades. Instead, doctors like Jeffries are crafting careers that adapt to their changing priorities, whether that’s raising children, pursuing research, or simply preventing burnout in a high-stress profession.
What Is Locum Tenens and Why Do Physicians Choose It?
Locum tenens—Latin for “placeholder”—offers physicians the opportunity to work temporary assignments ranging from weekend coverage to months-long positions. These roles fill critical staffing gaps for healthcare facilities while giving doctors unprecedented control over their schedules.
“My first locum assignment was covering a two-week vacation for a rural clinic doctor in Maine,” says Dr. Michael Chen, a family practitioner who transitioned to full-time locum work three years ago. “I was hooked immediately. The paperwork was minimal, the patients were grateful, and I made more in those two weeks than I would have in a month at my previous practice.”
The financial benefits can be substantial. Locum physicians typically earn 30-50% more than their permanent counterparts, with agencies often covering malpractice insurance, travel expenses, and housing. This arrangement allows doctors to work intensively for periods, then take extended breaks—something rarely possible in traditional settings.
But challenges exist. Dr. James Wilson, who alternates between locum assignments and medical volunteer work abroad, notes the professional isolation that can occur. “You’re always the new doctor, which means building relationships from scratch each time. It takes a certain personality to thrive without a consistent team.”
Telemedicine: Medicine’s Digital Frontier
While Dr. Wilson was adapting to life as a locum physician, Dr. Elena Rodriguez was pioneering another flexible approach—building a telemedicine practice specializing in dermatology.
“I started seeing virtual patients one day a week while maintaining my brick-and-mortar practice,” Rodriguez explains. “Within six months, my telemedicine patient load had grown enough that I could reduce my in-office days to three weekly. My commute went from 45 minutes each way to the fifteen steps to my home office.”
The COVID-19 pandemic transformed telemedicine from a convenient option to an essential service almost overnight. For many specialists, remote consultation proved surprisingly effective for conditions ranging from mental health to post-surgical follow-ups. Chronic disease management, in particular, has benefited from the consistent touchpoints telemedicine enables.
Psychiatrist Dr. Robert Thomas found that his therapy patients actually preferred virtual sessions. “The comfort of their own environment seems to encourage openness,” he observes. “And for patients with anxiety disorders, eliminating the stress of traveling to appointments removed a significant barrier to care.”
The technology learning curve can be steep, especially for mid-career physicians. Dr. Margaret Walsh, an internist with 22 years of experience, initially resisted telemedicine. “I was convinced I couldn’t properly evaluate patients without a physical exam,” she recalls. “But necessity forced me to adapt during the pandemic, and I’ve been surprised by how much can be accomplished virtually. The key was finding the right balance—knowing when a patient needs to be seen in person versus when a video visit will suffice.”
Creating a Hybrid Career: Combining Approaches
Increasingly, physicians are blending these approaches. Dr. Kevin Patel works three months annually as a locum hospitalist in Alaska, provides telemedicine consultations three days weekly from his Arizona home, and spends the remainder of his time conducting clinical research.
“This combination gives me everything I want,” Patel says. “The intense, hands-on hospital work keeps my clinical skills sharp. Telemedicine lets me maintain patient relationships without geographic limitations. And my research satisfies my academic interests while advancing my specialty.”
This career mashup isn’t without complications. Multi-state licensing remains cumbersome despite recent interstate compacts designed to streamline the process. Technology failures can disrupt telemedicine sessions, particularly in rural areas where physicians are most needed. And the irregular income patterns of locum work require disciplined financial planning.
Making Flexible Medicine Work: Practical Advice
Physicians who’ve successfully navigated these waters offer consistent advice for colleagues considering the transition:
Dr. Lisa Huang, who coordinates rural telemedicine outreach while taking quarterly locum assignments, emphasizes relationship-building. “I maintain contact with three reliable recruiting agencies rather than jumping at every offer. They know my preferences and schedule, which means less time sorting through mismatched opportunities.”
For telemedicine practitioners, technical preparation proves essential. “Invest in reliable internet with a backup option, quality audio equipment, and good lighting,” advises Dr. Thomas. “Patients quickly lose confidence if they can’t see or hear you clearly.”
Financial planner Jessica Martinez, who specializes in physician finances, recommends creating a six-month expense cushion before transitioning to variable income models. “Locum work can be seasonal, with more opportunities during summer vacation periods and fewer around holidays. Planning for these fluctuations prevents panic decisions.”
Many successful physicians maintain credentials at a “home base” facility, working minimal shifts to preserve benefits while pursuing external opportunities. This approach provides security during transitions and keeps doors open for future changes.
The Future of Flexible Medicine
As healthcare systems struggle with physician shortages and burnout, administrative attitudes toward flexible work arrangements are evolving. Dr. William Foster, chief medical officer at Regional Health Network, has embraced hybrid staffing models. “We’ve found that physicians who work locum assignments or split time with telemedicine actually bring fresh perspectives and renewed energy to our permanent team.”
Medical schools are beginning to acknowledge these career paths, too. Dr. Jennifer Adams, who directs physician career development at Eastern Medical University, notes increasing student interest in non-traditional trajectories. “We’re incorporating telemedicine training and locum tenens education into our career counselling. Today’s medical students expect optionality in their careers.”
For physicians seeking to break free from conventional practice without abandoning medicine altogether, locum tenens and telemedicine represent viable paths forward. As Dr. Jeffries reflects on her career transformation: “Medicine is still my calling, but now it’s on my terms. That makes all the difference in the world.”