Locum tenens staffing is a trusted way to address those issues head-on. No longer simply an emergency option, locums staffing has reshaped the way rural facilities deliver care, manage costs and plan for the future.
Here are three ways that locums is changing rural healthcare:
1. Closing coverage gaps quickly, without sacrificing continuity of care
Finding trusted clinicians to staff facilities in rural areas presents a greater challenge than in urban communities. According to a research report conducted by MGMA and LocumTenens.com, 44% of surveyed clinicians in rural areas listed undesirable location as a negative factor when considering recruitment and retention. Additionally, physician and APP recruitment was listed as the most significant challenge for rural areas at 56%.
With access to thousands of clinicians, agencies like LocumTenens.com can provide locums for fast, reliable coverage to ensure gaps in coverage are addressed, and patient care can continue.
2. Bringing specialty services to small communities with tele-technology
Locums clinicians and tele-technology are expanding what it means for patients in rural communities to seek care and treatment. Through flexible scheduling and hybrid models, patients are able to be seen and treated by a specialist without traveling hours. Locums clinicians can provide both on-site coverage while also leveraging telehealth for remote consultations, follow-ups and after-hours support—allowing rural facilities to offer services in traditionally hard-to-access specialties including radiology, behavioral health, cardiology and more.
3. Reducing patient transfers and outmigration
Patient outmigration has long challenged rural facilities, with patients often transferred to urban systems for care that could be delivered locally with the right staffing and resources available. Locums clinicians help rural facilities maintain consistent coverage and access to specialty services, allowing more patients to receive care close to home. By reducing unnecessary transfers, facilities preserve revenue, strengthen continuity of care and reinforce community trust — while patients benefit from staying connected to their local care teams and support systems.
As the healthcare market changes, facilities and locums have developed with it. More than just a quick fix, locums care has evolved into long-term staffing that not only address coverage gaps with quick solutions but also provides long-term facility support and operations.
LocumTenens.com is here to be your partner through every step of the way. Connect with us today to see what we can do for your facility.
