Sumo Medial Staffing

Why did you go into medicine? It’s a question you’ve probably answered hundreds of times, and one you’ve probably asked yourself countless times, too! 

If the answer was, “I want to make a difference,” then we have great news. Locum tenens physician, physician assistant and nurse practitioner roles in medically underserved rural communities are yours for the taking – and allow you to make a difference in the lives of men, women and children all over the country. 

Statistics show that 80 percent of America is medically underserved, according to the National Institute for Healthcare Management. And many of those medically underserved areas are in rural America. On average, rural residents – more than 46 million of them – are older and suffer from more serious health conditions than their suburban or urban counterparts. 

They also face significant barriers to healthcare – traveling longer distances for appointments or treatment, fewer specialties available and financial burdens to name a few. In all, this leaves rural residents with a life span that’s two years shorter than someone in a larger city. 

So, while choosing a large city for your next locum tenens assignment may seem glamorous and exciting – take a moment to consider what rural life has to offer you, and what you can offer in return. 

Often, it’s the remote and rural locations that offer medical professionals the most value during a locum assignment. 

Serving Underserved Communities

We’ve already hit on this one. The ratio of physicians to patients is 1 to 2,500 in rural areas. This impacts local physicians’ ability to properly care for their community. In this setting, you make an immediate impact – improving quality of care for patients and offering existing medical professionals a much-needed break.  

Higher pay

This one is high on the list for everyone. There is a high demand for qualified healthcare providers in rural areas, which gives you bargaining power to negotiate a higher salary. Plus, since cost of living is often lower in rural areas, you’ll be paying less for housing and transportation. Higher pay and lower cost of living is always a win, win. 

Variety of Experience and Diverse Patients

Sure, you know how medicine works in a state-of-the-art health system. You’ve seen what a multi-provider practice looks like in suburbia. But when you work in rural, underserved areas, you’re serving patients from diverse backgrounds – with experiences likely much different from your own. You’ll also see what medical care looks like in rural America. It’s probably unlike anything you’ve done before. And as a skill set, that’s definitely added value.  

Work Life Balance

Isn’t that the whole point? Facilities and practices in rural and remote areas serve fewer patients each day, which means you get to spend quality time with each patient and less time at work. Take advantage of a slower pace of life and try a new hobby, explore the great outdoors, or learn more about your surroundings and the people who live there.  

In all, it’s worth exploring rural locum tenens assignments. Chances are, you’ll develop strong connections with the people you serve and be able to offer patients a personalized approach to healthcare – and isn’t that why you chose healthcare in the first place?

Click here to search for healthcare jobs that make a difference with SUMO Staffing!