Hospitals and medical groups are increasingly relying on what the industry calls "locum tenens" physicians, or providers who fill in on a temporary basis, according to a Forbes report.
A report from StaffCare, an Irving, Texas-based physician staffing company and subsidiary of AMN Healthcare, says the physician shortage persists despite decreases in medical visits during the down economy. The company, the nation's largest physician staffing firm, said its number of "temporary days filled" for its clients rose to 183,252 from 181,834 in 2010, even in a period when hospitals and health facilities are experiencing reimbursement cuts.
The demand for physicians comes despite a dip in patients seeking outpatient medical care and non-emergency hospital services. A report last month by the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics showed physician office visits fell nearly 5 percent in 2011 after a 4 percent drop in 2010.
According to Staffing Industry Analysts, a California-based advisor on contingent work, the locum tenens segment of healthcare is projected to grow 7 percent to $2.1 billion this year.
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A report from StaffCare, an Irving, Texas-based physician staffing company and subsidiary of AMN Healthcare, says the physician shortage persists despite decreases in medical visits during the down economy. The company, the nation's largest physician staffing firm, said its number of "temporary days filled" for its clients rose to 183,252 from 181,834 in 2010, even in a period when hospitals and health facilities are experiencing reimbursement cuts.
The demand for physicians comes despite a dip in patients seeking outpatient medical care and non-emergency hospital services. A report last month by the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics showed physician office visits fell nearly 5 percent in 2011 after a 4 percent drop in 2010.
According to Staffing Industry Analysts, a California-based advisor on contingent work, the locum tenens segment of healthcare is projected to grow 7 percent to $2.1 billion this year.
Related Articles on Physicians:
Anesthesiology Plays a Role in Coordinating Management of Knee Replacement Patients, Contributing to Better Outcomes
AmkaiSolutions Launches Web-Based Physician Portal at ASCA 2012
Virginia Eye Surgeon Sues Riverside Hospital for Allegedly Thwarting ASC Plans