LocumLife - October 2008 - (Page 17)

employee overhead or increasing malpractice premiums, “making the practice of medicine more enjoyable.” PERKS OF THE TRADE What other aspects of this career alternative were crucial to those participating in this survey? When considering the relative importance of various components of a potential opportunity, current and former temporary doctors agreed that receiving more pay for weekend and holiday shifts ranked at the top of the list, followed by per-diem allowances. In all, 63% of total MD respondents said perks were either “important” or “very important” to them, with liability/ malpractice insurance, compensation, and licensure/ credentialing assistance ranking very high among all age groups when selecting or thinking about selecting a staffing company. In particular, MDs 40 to 44 years of age expressed the highest interest in these aspects, possibly owing to the fact that they are in their prime earning years and have a great deal of motivation to protect their assets. How about those MDs who have never practiced shortterm but would like to live the locum life? Not surprisingly, a greater degree ranked professional insurance, licensure/ credentialing assistance, housing, cell phones, personal support, and compensation as “very important” in their choice of staffing firm when compared to colleagues who are or had been providing locum tenens services. Little niceties while on the road were also important to the MDs surveyed. In addition to the more universal rental cars, cell phones, and direct deposit, respondents offered suggestions for perks they would use but have not received on contract. Among these were day passes to airline lounges, travel upgrades, complimentary AAA membership, health club access, allowances for meals and dry cleaning, free parking, Internet access, laptop, and tickets to local attractions. A BRIGHT FUTURE DESPITE DARK TIMES With tough times ahead, it is good to know that locum tenens physicians seem to have strong forward momentum in terms of compensation, value-added perks, and the quality of their overall experience. Opportunities continue to abound across the country, in any number of practice settings, for physicians who have the right combination of personality, drive, and clinical skill. Regardless of where the greater economy is headed, that may be the most comforting news of all. L L Special thanks to those locum tenens professionals who took part in this study. Look for future invitations from LocumLife to participate in expanded salary surveys, and watch for more on how the economy affects the locum tenens market in upcoming issues. Dennis Murray is a freelance writer based in Vernon, New Jersey. OCTOBER 2008 EXPLORE YOUR POSSIBILITIES! ENJOY THE LOCUM TENENS LIFESTYLE. &KRRVHDQ\DUHDRIWKHFRXQWU\ RUDPRUHàH[LEOHVFKHGXOH (DUQH[WUDLQFRPHWU\DQRWKHU SUDFWLFHVHWWLQJRUWDNHD¸ZRUNLQJ¶ YDFDWLRQ <RXFKRVHZKHUH<RXFKRRVHZKHQ :HGRWKHUHVW Call anytime 800.780.3500 x 2168 www.mdainc.com LocumLife 17 Circle Career Card No. 608 http://www.mdainc.com http://www.mdainc.com

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LocumLife - October 2008 Insights Editorial Contents From Nalto STAT! The Basics Med Ec-cerpts Last-Minute Luxury Where Do You Stand? Gastroentrerology Career Center Advertiser Index Opportunities Direct Destinations Passport - Cairo, Egypt Contest Rules Anyone's Guess La Vita Locum

LocumLife - October 2008

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