Freelance work can be a great way to work from home. It’s often cheaper than locum tenens assignments and much more flexible. It can also help you pay off your medical school debt. If you’re thinking about trying it out, read on to learn more about why more medical professionals are choosing this route.
Freelancing Is Cheaper Than Locum Tenens
Locum tenens is a great opportunity for physicians to experience a range of clinical experiences. Physicians can work in rural clinics or at leading teaching hospitals. This can give physicians an exciting new perspective on medicine. However, doctors should have the right knowledge and experience to do locum tenens work. Locum tenens positions do not typically require extensive orientation or long break-in periods.
Locum tenens doctors are not as expensive as permanent employees and have greater control over their time. Moreover, they can earn much more on an hourly basis. In addition, they do not have to wait for insurance reimbursements.
It’s In Your Control
One of the primary reasons why more medical professionals are turning to freelance work is the fact that it is more flexible and gives them more control over their schedule. Freelance work allows doctors to earn more per hour while still being able to choose where they want to work. The flexibility also allows them to avoid the guilt of clocking out when their shift is over.
It’s A Way To Pay Off Medical School Debt
Medical professionals are finding creative ways to pay off medical school debt. These professionals are completing their residency programs and earning more money than they originally planned, while still pursuing their dream career. For many, this can be an attractive option, but many of them face the same financial challenges. While salary may be important, job satisfaction is also a critical factor.
While the hefty cost of medical school is well-known, many aspiring physicians don’t realize it until after graduation. While loans are easy to obtain, they aren’t paid for years. Students typically expect to earn large salaries once they’re established, but that’s a few years away. The immediate focus, of course, is getting through medical school and residency.
It’s A Way To Reduce Physician Burnout
Physician burnout has become a major issue in American health care, and the American Medical Association, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, and the National Academy of Medicine have launched programs to address the problem. Studies show that burnout affects both new and experienced physicians alike, and even depletes the satisfaction of mid-career physicians. Burnout also increases the cost of health care, resulting in a sharp rise in expenses as doctors leave the field. In fact, burnout is the number one reason why physicians retire early.
Physician burnout can have a significant impact on healthcare organizations, and it can lead to medical errors, staff turnover, absenteeism, and even the cost of care. In response to this problem, technology companies are getting into the space by offering solutions that free up physicians from the desk and help them become more productive. Although the effectiveness of these solutions is still uncertain, some groups have seen dramatic reductions in physician burnout. For example, a California-based medical group decreased its physician burnout rate to below the national average by implementing new technology solutions, providing increased training, monitoring physician time, and intervening on an individual basis.