When a doctor needs to take an extended leave from work, the remaining doctors in the practice may try to take on the additional patients among themselves. However, the level of patient care may suffer as they work longer hours or add an extra day each week. Under the increased workload they can become stressed and on the path to burnout. To protect all of the optometrists’ quality of life, a better solution needs to be found.
Solution
Hire a locum tenen for an extended period of time. Locum tenens is a Latin phrase that means “to hold the place of,” or, “to substitute for.” Hiring a fill-in doctor takes planning, but if done correctly can be a win-win for all parties involved.
- Finding a locum tenen – If you live within an hour or two from a big city, you can most likely ask an optometrist working at a commercial establishment to substitute in your practice a day or two. Online companies provide fill-in optometrists. Part-time optometrists across the city or in another town may want some extra hours.
- Prepare patients – If the doctor leaving is already booked during the time he or she will be gone, use this as an opportunity to allow patients to keep their yearly appointments with a different doctor, and promise they can return to their original doctor for following visits. A month before, have staff notify patients that Dr. Extended Leave will be gone the day of their appointments, but another doctor will be filling in.
- Malpractice coverage – It is important to visit with your malpractice carrier about terms of coverage. We were pleased to discover that our locum tenen is conveniently covered under Dr. Extended Leave’s policy for a 60-day period. Please check with your malpractice carrier.
- Insurance – If the Locum Tenen practices in the same state, he or she is already on most of the insurance panels. If not, planning ahead will allow your insurance staff plenty of time to get them on the panel. Medical insurances make this extremely easy whereas the vision benefit companies (VSP, Eyemed, Superior, etc) make it more difficult.
- Prepare staff – Staff appreciate being part of the decision-making process, and they and respond best when they know of changes in advance, so it’s important to communicate through this process and show them why this will be best for patient care. Explain they may not get many hours to work when Dr. Extended Leave is out, and they will warm up to the idea of a locum tenen quickly.
Doctors find it easier to take time away and actually let go of the office stress when patients are being cared for. The locum tenen solution allows for the new mother to enjoy a couple of months with her baby, or the compassionate doctor to serve for a term internationally giving of the gift of sight. It also may give a father extended time with his family before all the children are grown and gone. Whatever the need for an extended leave, a locum tenen for a replacement is a good option.
