Locum tenens, derived from the Latin phrase “to hold the place of,” usually refers to doctors who contract with a company to provide medical services for a limited period of time. Since its beginnings in the 1970s, the locum tenens industry has grown to over 25 companies and $2 billion annually.1 But how do you know if locum tenens work is right for you? In this article, we will provide a primer on what you need to know about locum tenens work, exploring both what you should expect from locum tenens work and what pitfalls you should try to avoid.
Locum tenens is defined as “one filling an office for a time or temporarily taking the place of another,” and most often describes a physician who is contracted to work on a temporary basis.2 Health organizations may employ locum tenens physicians to fill positions that have recently been...
