Welcome to the MGMA Business Solutions Podcast, hosted by Daniel Williams, Senior Editor at MGMA. In this episode, Daniel sits down with Dr. Miechia Esco, Chief Medical Resources Advisor, and Amelia Vietri, Senior Vice President and Partner at LocumTenens.com. Together, they dive into innovative strategies for tackling healthcare staffing shortages, improving clinician retention, and enhancing patient care—especially in underserved rural areas. This episode addresses the critical challenges of clinician burnout, the evolving role of telehealth, and how advanced practice providers (APPs) can reshape the healthcare landscape.

Major Takeaways:

1. Key Challenges and Opportunities in Locum Tenens Medicine

• Flexibility and Autonomy: Dr. Esco highlighted how locum tenens medicine offers clinicians the opportunity to create customized schedules, helping to mitigate burnout and improve work-life balance.
• Tailored Solutions for Diverse Environments: The model supports various specialties and environments, including rural, urban, and suburban communities, offering critical coverage for underserved areas.

2. Addressing Burnout Through Locum Tenens

• Work-Life Balance: Locum tenens provides flexibility for clinicians to adjust their workloads to match their preferences and avoid burnout.
• Technology and Support: Tools like mobile scheduling and AI-driven efficiency improvements help alleviate administrative burdens, enabling clinicians to focus on patient care.

3. Innovations in Telehealth and Emerging Technologies

• Telehealth Expansion: 81% of survey respondents reported implementing telehealth, which has become a key solution for increasing patient access and reducing clinician strain.
• AI in Healthcare: Emerging technologies, such as ambient AI for documentation, are helping clinicians streamline workflows and focus on patient care.

4. Solutions for Rural Healthcare Challenges

• Hybrid Models: Combining telehealth with on-site clinicians has expanded access to specialized care in rural areas.
• Billing and Enrollment Support: LocumTenens.com educates healthcare organizations on optimizing billing processes to justify costs and increase revenue.

5. The Role of Advanced Practice Providers (APPs)

• Enhancing Team-Based Care: APPs, such as nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives, are helping reduce burnout in fields like behavioral health and women’s health by handling routine care and first-call duties.
• Cross-Training: Critical care-trained APPs offer versatile support, rounding in ICUs and assisting with specialized services.

6. Research Insights from LocumTenens.com

• A survey of 200 healthcare professionals identified shared challenges across different settings, such as clinician recruitment, retention, and addressing social determinants of health.
• Rural communities face unique hurdles, but solutions like APP integration and telehealth are proving effective.

Links and Resources:

• On-Demand Webinar: Future-Proofing Strategies for Urban and Rural Physician Recruiting and Retention
• Research Report: Future-Forward Strategies for Rural and Urban Care Delivery Challenges

Thank you for tuning in to the MGMA Business Solutions Podcast. Be sure to subscribe for more expert insights tailored for medical practice leaders.