- December 17, 2024
- Credentialing
January can be a whirlwind for hospitals, health systems, and practices. The influx of patients eager to start the year with annual checkups, the surge in seasonal illnesses such as colds and flu, and the ripple effect of holiday schedules and clinician vacations can create a perfect storm. But the truth is, amid these pressures, the ongoing staffing shortages in the healthcare sector compound staffing challenges, whether it’s a holiday season or any other time. Practices must prepare not only for the possibility of a January rush, but also lay the groundwork for sustained success throughout the year.
While demand spikes vary by season, the need for locum tenens — temporary providers who fill critical gaps in care — remains year-round. In fact, recent data showed that 82% of healthcare organizations using locums did so to fill in during a provider search, 40% hired locums to meet increased patient demand, and 28% was to supplement staff during peak seasons. Locum tenens providers can offer practices flexibility and expertise to maintain operations, regardless of staffing challenges.
Below are some key strategies to help your practice be ready to handle workforce needs in the new year.
Locum tenens supports clinician coverage
Locum tenens providers can play a crucial role in alleviating staffing shortages, especially during peak times. By bringing in these skilled professionals, practices ensure continuity of care even when permanent staff are unavailable.
For healthcare facilities, the benefits of locum tenens might include the ability to schedule providers on short notice to address fluctuating patient demand as well as potentially reducing the financial burden of maintaining full-time staff year-round. The average physician generates $2.4 million in net revenue per year — unfilled physician positions can be costly. Additionally, locum tenens can bring in expertise in specific areas of care that may not be available in-house.
“A growing number of residents and physicians are turning to locum tenens at some point in their career,” says Kirk Heath, MD, former locum tenens physician and co-founder of Modio. “Physicians are used to working relentless schedules, seeing more patients than they can realistically spend quality time with, and doing this consistently, but it takes a toll. Locum tenens is a way to provide continued patient support, avoid significant gaps in medical services, and mitigate the impact of the physician shortage while providing flexibility for the physicians themselves as healthcare navigates the growing number of older adults.”
Provider credentialing can be a key challenge
Navigating the provider credentialing process can be difficult for any healthcare organization and provider, permanent or temporary. Credentialing is essential for providers to see patients and get paid; however, it can be a time-consuming and complex task, particularly during peak seasons when demand surges. Delays in verifying credentials can take weeks or months, leaving critical gaps in staffing during high-demand periods, and practices often struggle with outdated or inefficient credentialing systems, adding unnecessary complications.
Streamlining the credentialing process by working with a staffing agency that has credentialing factored in or, if you’re a smaller practice, working with an automated credentialing platform like OneView, is helpful for timely placement of locum tenens providers and significantly reduces delays and improves overall efficiency. By prioritizing credentialing reforms, practices can position themselves to respond quickly to workforce needs, ensuring uninterrupted patient care.
The right staffing approach
Effective staffing strategies are the cornerstone of operational success for healthcare facilities, especially during busy peak seasons. Locum tenens providers offer a solution to address workforce shortages, providing flexibility, specialized expertise, and cost savings. For locum tenens professionals, the arrangement offers unparalleled opportunities for growth, earning potential, and diverse experiences.
As the new year begins, practices that adopt forward-thinking staffing strategies can be well-positioned to meet patient demand, improve care delivery, and navigate the complexities of a dynamic healthcare landscape. Whether addressing January’s seasonal surge or planning for the long term, the right staffing approach benefits both facilities and providers.