Could locum tenens be the answer to the rural healthcare industry?

The physician shortage is expected to affect the entire country in the coming years, with factors such as the aging Baby Boomers and the recent passing of healthcare reform, which will dramatically increase the number of U.S. citizens who will be eligible to receive healthcare benefits. However, while the physician shortage can affect some areas more than others, a lot of attention is being drawn to rural areas, as those who complete medical school typically steer away from practicing in rural facilities.

The physician shortage is expected to affect the entire country in the coming years, with factors such as the aging Baby Boomers and the recent passing of healthcare reform, which will dramatically increase the number of U.S. citizens who will be eligible to receive healthcare benefits. However, while the physician shortage can affect some areas more than others, a lot of attention is being drawn to rural areas, as those who complete medical school typically steer away from practicing in rural facilities.

Many healthcare industry analysts are turning to Massachusetts for a look into what could happen with the rural healthcare system once the reform is established for the rest of the country, according to the Boston Globe. The state implemented a universal healthcare bill in 2006, leaving the waiting time for new patients getting into treatment facilities much longer than they were before.

Part of President Barack Obama's plan of healthcare reform is to bring young primary care physicians to underserved areas in the country. As students continue to graduate from medical school, they are continuously being offered grants and federal financial aid to go toward paying off their student loans, which can climb upwards of $150,000, with the stipulation that the government will assist with these loans if the students work in rural area practices.

For rural areas that are experiencing a shortage in physicians, locum tenens may find that these facilities may be the right fit for them. According to Locum Life, a magazine dedicated to the practice, locum tenens can find the benefits of working in a small community, such as building relationships with their patients, in addition to treating patients from various areas. Additionally, because locum tenens work on a temporary basis, they can travel to various rural areas across the country, offering their assistance to communities that need it the most.

Working in rural areas can also give locums an idea of where they would like to end up on a permanent basis. Patricia Witte, a locum doctor who was scheduled to serve in two Alaskan towns felt that she would only do locum work until she figured out a place to settle, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians.

"I'm only planning on doing locum tenens for about five years, and then I would like to settle down," Witte said. She added that it may also be important to establish a home base, as traveling on a frequent basis could be difficult with a number of items.