LocumLife - September 2008 - (Page 32)

DESTINATIONS La vita locum Memorable tales from the road Small locations offer big benefits Family medicine specialist James Johnson, MD, enjoys the variety of experiences and relationships he has developed while caring for residents in rural southwestern communities. Amy Sutton T hroughout his 23-year career, Dr. Johnson has thrived on professional variety. Not only has he operated his own private practice, provided care in a hospital-owned clinic, and accepted permanent placements in hospital emergency departments (ED), but locum tenens opportunities also have been included in his professional repertoire for more than two decades. When he first began locum tenens practice in 1986, Dr. Johnson accepted opportunities simply as a way to fill time between permanent positions. It did not take long, though, until the diverse experiences and patient populations became the big draw. “It was almost like a working vacation because I was able to enjoy a change of pace from my usual routine.” Today, Dr. Johnson has his own practice and accepts locum tenens opportunities through Oklahoma On-Call, headquartered in Stillwater. He has accepted part-time opportunities through the agency since 1999, and within the last year, has completed five contracts with the company. SHIFTING GEARS Choosing locum tenens opportunities that vary in scope and duration is one strategy Dr. Johnson uses to break up the steady pace of permanent practice. For instance, one engagement might involve covering a family practice, while at another, he might spend 2 days every week for a month caring for patients in the ED. By his calculation, he has provided services in at least 15 EDs across his home state. 32 LocumLife SEPTEMBER 2008 A recent noteworthy contract, in a rural southwestern community of about 2,264 residents, involved caring for ED patients during 48- to 60-hour shifts on five or six occasions over a period of several months. “My stint began immediately when I arrived Friday evening and lasted through Monday morning, during which time I stayed in a remodeled call room at the hospital,” recalls Dr. Johnson. “I covered the ED, inpatients, and the permanent doctor’s practice. The ED consisted of two beds, and if it became too busy, patients were placed in regular hospital rooms. Anywhere from one to eight inpatients would be in the facility at a time.” “Variety is the spice of life, and locum tenens offers that type of diversity.” —James Johnson, MD a large role in why he continues to take locum tenens opportunities there today. “Do not let the idea of providing care in remote areas intimidate you. It is a great experience that is well-worth your time, and the people will truly appreciate it.” Even if these smaller facilities lack advanced equipment, providers can use the situation to stretch their clinical skills. ”It is challenging to care for patients without the capability of MRI scans, vascular ultrasounds, or even OB ultrasound—but not insurmountable. You must recognize when a case is beyond your ability and that of the facility, and be ready to refer or transfer that patient to the appropriate location.” DIVERSITY ABOUNDS Dr. Johnson, who travels alone and chooses opportunities within 3 hours’ driving distance, wholeheartedly recommends this practice alternative to physicians desiring a change of scenery. “This lifestyle helps you avoid the rut that you can sometimes fall into when practicing at the same office and seeing the same people day in and day out. With locum tenens, you have the benefit of going to multiple locations and constantly meeting new people. Variety, as they say, is the spice of life, and locum tenens offers that type of diversity.” In the future, Dr. Johnson plans to continue his full-time family medicine practice, while also devoting time to serving patients through intermittent locum tenens opportunities in the rural Southwest. L L Amy Sutton is a freelance writer based in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. www.LocumLife.com While there, Dr. Johnson treated an ethnically diverse population, with patients ranging in age from infancy to the elderly. Although the various medical emergencies he encountered were similar to those seen elsewhere, one memory sticks in his mind. “That day, it seemed that everyone who walked through the door had a fracture.” SMALL-TOWN SPIRIT The meaningful relationships Dr. Johnson enjoyed with the staff and rural residents of that southwestern town play http://www.LocumLife.com

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LocumLife - September 2008 Editorial Contents From Nalto Stat! Dynamics The Net Last-Minute Luxury Unplugged Going Wireless on the Road Getting Oriented Advertiser Index Opportunities Direct Destinations On Location Contest Rules Anyone's Guess La Vita Locum

LocumLife - September 2008

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