Family medicine physician Hania Kahlon, MD, shares her experience working locum tenens after finishing residency.
I always had the conviction that I could do medicine differently. As someone who always wanted to but was discouraged from going into primary care due to its lower compensation, I was determined to create a life for myself that provided both the work/life balance and pay I believed I deserved.
During my third year of residency, I came across the idea of doing locum tenens through a mentor. And as fate would have it, after almost a year of doing local locums, I don’t think I’ll go back to practicing medicine the “traditional” way.
Let’s do a quick intro! I don’t know anything about locums...
Locum tenens, Latin for "to hold the place of," refers to temporary positions that physicians can take in various healthcare settings. Doctors who work locum tenens fill in for full-time physicians on leave or help address staffing shortages in hospitals, clinics, and private practices.
This flexible career option allows physicians to choose when and where they work, offering a balance between professional fulfillment and personal freedom. For many, locum tenens provides an opportunity to gain diverse clinical experiences, explore different healthcare environments, and maintain a better work/life balance.
How did I learn about locums exactly?
I had a meeting with my advisor during residency and told her that I was unsure about how I wanted to practice medicine in the future. Being a family medicine physician, I had a variety of options to choose from — traditional outpatient medicine, urgent care, inpatient care, or rural family medicine. She said, “Why don’t you do locums?” I couldn’t wait to learn more. I immediately found a mentor (luckily, I had one at my residency clinic), and she told me about her experience as a locum physician of 10+ years.
Make the right choice for your career: Post-residency options for physicians
What makes locums different?
The flexibility! I love that I have more autonomy over my schedule and am not tied to a limited number of PTO days each year. I knew I wanted to avoid burnout in medicine and have more control over my life, and locum tenens has provided me with that.
How is the pay different?
There are layers to this answer — the pay is better by the hour. However, something I’m learning, and others have told me to watch out for, is that taxes are filed differently as a locum physician. I am a 1099 employee, so taxes get a bit more complicated.
Some have told me there are many benefits to filing this way, but as a new doctor, it’s something I’m still learning. My first year filing will be next year, and I’m eager to see how filing as a 1099 might be more beneficial.
How much could you earn? Check out locum pay rates by specialty
How has my experience been so far?
I’ve loved it! The coolest part about being a locum physician is that contracts are typically 3-6 months, so at that point, you have the choice to either continue with your current contract or pick up a new gig. While I’ve continued with my original contract this year, I’ve also had the chance to renegotiate my terms. My locum consultant has been super helpful in guiding me through this process.
What if you can’t move for your job?
You can still do locums! Actually, that’s what I’m doing: local locums. It’s quite common, especially in larger metro areas where there may be a need in underserved communities (which has been the case in primary care, in my experience).
In the end, medicine is a diverse and dynamic field that offers countless ways to make a meaningful impact. As a locum doctor, I've seen firsthand that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to a medical career.
You can do medicine differently
Whether it’s the schedule flexibility of locum work, the chance to pursue different work settings (for me, it’s urgent care vs. outpatient vs. inpatient medicine), or overcoming the fear of doing something different, I’m so grateful I chose this path for myself.
Medicine is about serving others, but it’s also about crafting a fulfilling life for yourself. You don’t have to do medicine the way everyone else does — sometimes, carving out your own path leads to the most rewarding journey.
