Content analysis of locum tenens recruitment emails for anesthesiologists

Abstract

BackgroundLocum tenens continues to be an increasingly utilized employment option among healthcare organizations to cope with short-term provider vacancies. There exist no studies that explore the job characteristics of such assignments. The purpose of this study was to characterize the clinical responsibilities and compensation of anesthesiology locum tenens positions through content analysis of recruitment emails. Through this data, anesthesiologists interested in locum tenens will be better equipped to evaluate the merit of potential opportunities.MethodsThe study was conducted using a compiled database of unsolicited emails received by one of the authors. A total of 241 emails containing 794 assignments were included during the period of 1/09/17 to 1/26/18 (383 days in total). The information was extracted using a standardized template and was entered into a database. Additional validation of the content was done using a data mining tool.ResultsMost of the job opportunities originated from five staffing agencies. A total of 37, 25, and 17% of the assignments were allocated to hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and trauma centers respectively. The mean caseload for the assignments was between 8.5 and 11.1 cases per day. The mean daily work shift was 9.1 hours, and the average duration of the assignment was one week. The most frequently requested cases included general (74%), orthopedics (54%), and OB/GYN (51%). However, information regarding training qualifications and licensing was not routinely provided. Only 13.1% of assignments specified a system of medical documentation with paper charting being the most common. The mean hourly rate for locum anesthesiologists in our sample was $186.19, significantly higher than the national average of $127.88. Around 28% of staffing agencies covered the licensing expenses of specialists while 23% covered the expense of travels and 20% covered accommodation costs.ConclusionsDescriptions for locum tenens positions follow common anesthesiology practices and feature superior compensation to national estimates. However, vital information is often omitted from recruitment emails, and practice settings are highly variable. Anesthesiologists are urged to fully investigate opportunities before accepting based on recruitment emails. Managers should require more details to be provided in job offers.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12913-018-3758-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Approaches to locum physician recruitment and retention: a systematic review

“…Most ( n = 11, 92%) studies [ 2 , 3 , 7 – 9 , 13 – 15 , 17 – 19 ] were published within the last 20 years of our search. Four (33%) studies [ 7 , 9 , 13 , 19 ] were from the United States and four (33%) [ 8 , 14 – 16 ] were from the United Kingdom. A smaller portion ( n = 3, 25%) [ 2 , 3 , 17 ] originated in Canada.…”

“…Seventy-three (73%) of locum respondents agreed that they would prefer to arrange locum assignments independently. Less than half of locums (46.2%) felt adequately supported with professional development DiMeglio et al (2018) [ 9 ] USA To identify clinical duties and remuneration of anesthesiology LT positions using content analysis of recruitment emails Cross-sectional Hospitals, surgical and trauma centres Anesthesiologists (100%) 241 a Staffing agencies included the following information about assignments: payment information; licensing requirements; travel reimbursement; case load; and mean daily hours Most opportunities came from five staffing agencies and information surrounding qualification and licensing was not consistently provided in emails. Majority of emails lacked information for the physician to make an informed decision to accept or decline the assignment.…”

“…The majority of studies [ 2 , 7 – 9 , 13 , 15 , 16 , 19 ] ( n = 8, 67%) specified clinical setting, but did not indicate whether it was rural or urban (Table 3 ). A variety of specialities were reported among locum populations.…”

“…A variety of specialities were reported among locum populations. The majority ( n = 9, 75%) [ 2 , 3 , 7 , 13 – 16 , 18 , 19 ] included primary care physicians, and over half ( n = 5, 42%) [ 7 , 9 , 13 , 18 , 19 ] included specialists. Three (25%) studies [ 7 , 13 , 19 ] reported a subspecialist population.…”

“…Governments and communities invest substantial financial resources to attract locums in order to sustain healthcare service delivery [ 6 , 8 ]. As such, existing research has investigated locum recruitment and retention factors [ 6 , 7 , 9 , 10 ]. Despite the important role that locums play in sustaining operational healthcare systems, particularly during periods of health human resources strain, there is a lack of consolidated of evidence on the recruitment of LT physicians.…”