Cross-Generational Locum Tenens Staff and Healthcare Excellence

There’s a new “truth” in town: forward-thinking hospitals and medical facilities are finding that the most effective healthcare teams embrace the strengths of multiple generations. 

Many locum healthcare staffing services as well as the medical facilities that use them focus only on credentials and locums’ availability. 

Yet the real “secret” to creating top-notch care teams often lies in thoughtful pairing of different generations. 

Doing so strategically when combining early-career providers with experienced pros means that facilities often can create energetic and talented teams that will raise patient care while also improving operational efficiencies.  

Example: Boomers Paired with Millennials

Boomer healthcare professionals offer decades of clinical experience and well-developed diagnostic skills. Pairing them with tech-savvy Millennials – who often excel at using digital health solutions and EHRs – can then provide superior patient outcomes. 

Or a senior internist can share invaluable pattern recognition skills with younger colleagues. 

An early-career physician can show time-saving digital workflow ideas for an entire department’s benefit. 

The Key to Success is Internal Team Makeup

Instead of looking at differences among generations as possible points for friction, consider looking them instead as opportunities for unity.  

Gen X professionals often excel at bridging the span between modern and traditional approaches. Gen Z members can bring new perspectives on patient engagement, telehealth integration, and more. 

When carefully combined, diverse viewpoints and life experiences can create more resilient/adaptable care teams. 

Effectively Implementing This Approach

Start by taking a look at your current teams’ generational makeup and identify knowledge gaps. Then, work with your locum recruiting partner to find professionals who will complement your existing teams’ strengths. (The right locum staffing company will understand that matching professionals isn’t just about scheduling availability and skills. Instead, it’s about creating mentorship opportunities beneficial to both the mentee and mentor, while also building an environment where different generations welcome learning from each other.  

The benefits of this approach go far beyond your immediate staffing needs: Harvard Business Consulting reports that it sees “generational diversity” as a “great advantage for those companies that can recognize and leverage the strengths of each generation… organizations develop inclusive, productive, and harmonious multi-generational workplaces.”   

Learn more about how SUMO Staffing can help you find great locum tenens professionals – of all generations – for your hospital/healthcare facility.